A street-luge rider has been killed in what other lugers say was a "freak" accident in Brisbane's western suburbs.

Website designer Sue Wickenden, 50, was killed when she failed to negotiate a turn and struck a steel barrier while riding with a group of lugers at Mount Coot-tha early on Saturday morning.

Street luge is an extreme sport in which competitors lie on a thin fibreglass or plastic board similar to a sled and race down a paved course.

Police have said they believe speed was a factor in the accident, but Street Luge Australia ambassador Tyler Johnson says it was a tightly controlled ride.

"It was very safe. She had full leathers and a motorbike helmet on," Mr Johnson said, who was involved in the event.

"She knew what she was doing and she was travelling at a controlled speed.

"What has happened is just a freak accident. I have seen people injured before, but never seriously."

Mr Johnson says Ms Wickenden is highly regarded among the 20 or so lugers in the Brisbane-based community.

"She was family - we all knew Sue very well," he said.

Sue Wickenden, 50, was killed after striking a steel barrier while riding with lugers at Mount Coot-tha. ( Twitter )

Mr Johnson says lugers only conduct street rides at dawn on country roads with minimal traffic.

Fellow luger Andrew Smith says safety is a priority for participants, and the fatal accident is not a sign the sport is unsafe.

"When we ride we stick to our own side of the road for example, always all in the correct safety gear," he said.

"The hills that we ride are within the limits of people riding them; we don't let inexperienced people, for example, go and ride a hill that they can't ride correctly."

In a recent article on the Womensport Queensland website, Ms Wickenden said she took up the sport in her forties.

"I arrived at a point in my age time line when I had to make a decision. I could allow age to take me gently by the hand and slide into a little plumpness and a quieter life or I could fight back, kicking and screaming to stay fit into old age," she said.

"I have met wonderful new friends and travel throughout Australia participating in an extreme sport."

Lugers can reach speeds above 150 kilometres per hour.

The Forensic Crash Unit will prepare a report for the coroner.

AAP