As reported in our May update, the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee finalised its review of the Queensland Government’s Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-Mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026 and delivered a number of recommendations addressing concerns raised by our office on behalf of constituents. These included a proposed exemption framework for individuals unable to obtain a learner’s licence due to disability, age or medical condition, refinement of footpath speed limits in high pedestrian areas, and investigation of designated public access areas where compliant e-mobility devices may be used safely with minimal restrictions.

However, several concerns were not addressed in the Bill that was passed even with 112 amendments.

As a result, a number of new laws, some contentious and others currently confusing, will be introduced over three stages on 1 July 2026, 31 August 2026, and 28 February 2027, affecting the use of e-bikes and personal mobility devices, including e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles.

On the Street Smart website, the Queensland Government has advised that under the stronger laws:

  • Police can seize and destroy illegal devices from 1 July.
  • Random Breath Tests by Police will enforce drink riding for riders of e-bikes, bicycles, e-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices in public places from 1 July. 0.05 BAC applies.
  • Devices faster than 25km/h will be banned. E-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices must be restricted so they can’t exceed 25km/h. E-bike motors can only assist up to 25km/h. E-bikes can only be ridden faster under human pedal power.
  • 12km/h speed limits will apply on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths for e-bikes, e-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices from 1 July.
  • E-scooters, e-skateboards or e-unicycles can be ridden on roads, including on-road bike lanes, with a speed limit of up to 60km/h from 1 July. Riders can only go to a maximum speed of 25km/h.
  • Higher penalties will apply for speeding, failure to wear a helmet, careless riding, illegally carrying passengers and riding e-scooters, e-skateboards or e-unicycles on prohibited roads from 1 July.
  • Riders must be 16 and over with at least a learner’s permit from 31 August. Some exemptions for medical conditions and disabilities, and the ability for 12–17 year olds to ride under parental supervision will apply.*
  • Parents will be fined for under 16s riding illegally, from 1 July.
  • Compliance labelling for e-bikes will be mandatory, by 28 February 2027.*

*Information about the exemptions and an assurance scheme to help e-bike owners comply with the new labelling requirements will be available on the Street Smart website after 31 August 2026.

For further information on these new laws, please visit https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/e-bikes-e-scooters/ or call 13 QGOV.

New and increased penalties

The Queensland Government has also advised the following penalties will apply:

  • Not wearing a helmet – $518
  • Doubling – $518
  • Riding on a prohibited road – $518
  • Careless riding – $518
  • Speeding – $345 to $1,986 depending on speed
  • Drink riding – $518 to $6,908 (maximum court imposed)
  • Unsafe parking – $172
  • Parents can be fined for children under 16 years riding illegally (illegal device, underage or unlicensed) – $518

For more information on fines, please visit https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/e-bikes-e-scooters/ or call 13 QGOV.

Compliant e-bikes

With the new laws introducing compliance labelling requirements and additional enforcement powers, it is important that riders understand what constitutes a lawful and compliant e-bike.

The Queensland Government has advised that compliant e-bikes must meet the following requirements:

Compliance label mandatory

E-bikes must have a label complying with the European Standard for electrically power-assisted cycles, EN15194. A new assurance scheme will be established to certify and label e-bikes that meet safety specifications (250 watt and motor cut off at 25km/h) but are unable to meet the European Standard, as well as e-trikes and customised devices designed for people with disability. Riders will have until 28 February 2027 to ensure their device has the correct label. More information will be available after 31 August 2026.

 Pedals are the primary source of power

The motor provides assistance only and pedalling is required. After 6km/h, you must pedal your bike to keep riding. Devices that can be ridden solely by throttle above 6km/h (no pedalling needed) are illegal.

Motor assistance up to 25km/h

The motor may only provide assistance up to 25km/h. E-bikes may travel faster than this only through human pedal power.

 Maximum continuous motor output of 250 watts

The motor output should be printed on your bike’s compliance sticker. High-powered devices with a motor capable of more than 250 watts, whether locked to lower limits or not, are illegal.

 Electric motor only

Internal combustion engines are not allowed on legal e-bikes.

 

We encourage riders to review these requirements carefully, particularly given the new enforcement powers, penalties and compliance labelling requirements that will progressively come into effect over the coming months.

For more information on e-bike compliance, please visit https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/e-bikes-e-scooters/e-bikes/.

12- Month Review of Legislation

While stronger action on illegal and unsafe devices and dangerous behaviours has long been sought by communities, some of the changes introduced go beyond what had been advocated and have impacted responsible operators of legal devices. As we raised, without increased police resourcing, the trauma from illegal devices and dangerous riders will remain an issue in communities.

Given the Queensland Government has committed to a review of these measures 12 months after their commencement on 1 July 2026, we encourage residents with feedback on the new laws, whether positive or negative, to provide this directly to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads via transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au and to copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au. This will assist both the Queensland Government in its review and our ongoing advocacy regarding the impacts of these changes on riders, pedestrians and the broader community.

Further information

For more information on the new e-mobility laws, including rules for e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices, visit: https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/e-bikes-e-scooters/

For our previous Noosa 360 updates regarding e-mobility, visit: www.sandybolton.com/?s=Electric+Bikes

To view the Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-Mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026, visit: https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/bills/2026/4284/Transport-and-Other-Legislation-(Managing-E-mobility-Use-and-Protecting-Our-Communities)-Amendment-Bill-2026-1809.pdf

To view the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee’s report on the Bill, including the Committee’s findings and recommendations, visit: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5826t0264/5826t264.pdf