Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026

Overview

This bill introduces sweeping reforms to how e-bikes, e-scooters and personal mobility devices are regulated in Queensland, responding to a near-doubling of injuries and 12 fatalities in 2025. It sets a minimum rider age of 16 with a licence requirement, gives police power to seize and destroy illegal devices, creates new drink riding offences for cyclists and e-mobility riders, and limits footpath speeds to 10 km/h.

Who it affects

E-scooter and e-bike riders face new age, licensing and speed restrictions. Children under 16 are banned from riding these devices entirely. Parents, retailers, and hire companies face new legal obligations and significant penalties.

Key changes

• Riders must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver licence (minimum learner licence) to ride an e-bike or e-scooter in public
• Police can seize and destroy non-compliant e-mobility devices, illegal electric motorbikes and unregistered motorbikes on the spot, with forfeiture after a 30-day review process
• New drink riding offences for cyclists and e-scooter riders aged 16 and over, with random breath testing powers and tiered penalties matching the drink driving framework
• Footpath and shared path speed limit reduced to 10 km/h for all e-mobility devices, with PMDs now allowed on roads up to 60 km/h
• Parents can be fined if their child under 16 rides an e-mobility device or prohibited bike unlawfully
• Sale of e-mobility devices and unregisterable motorbikes to anyone under 16 is banned, with fines up to 420 penalty units for repeat offenders
• Existing e-bikes must comply with the European EN 15194 standard and display a compliance label within six months, or they become illegal 'prohibited bikes'