The days of powered scooters tearing across Gold Coast sand and along footpaths near the beaches could be numbered, with the city's council moving to enact a ban.

It came after concerns were raised by councillors and surf lifesavers about pedestrian safety and potential damage to beaches caused by motorised scooters, quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles.

Unauthorised motorised vehicles, similar to those shown above, could be banned on and around Gold Coast beaches Credit:Gold Coast City Council

Councillor Gary Baildon, who represents residents in Main Beach and Surfers Paradise, raised the issue of unauthorised motorised vehicles on footpaths along the coastline during the council meeting on Friday, before mayor Tom Tate expanded the point to include their presence on the beaches.

Division 11 councillor Hermann Vorster said the issue was "a bit ambiguous at the moment" because it was not clear whether the potential banning of unauthorised motorised vehicles on and around the beaches, fell under council or state government jurisdiction.

Cr Vorster said the vehicles being targetted were "heavily modified with thick tyres", with mobility scooters, surf lifesaving and council vehicles not included.

He said city officers had been tasked with "doing the homework" on whether existing local laws could deal with the issue or whether they needed to be changed.