Queensland has introduced significant new laws affecting e‑bikes, e‑scooters and other e‑mobility devices, as part of the Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E‑mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026.
Why are the laws changing?
E‑mobility devices have become increasingly common across Queensland.
While they offer a convenient and cost‑effective way to travel, concerns have been raised about unsafe use, including speeding, illegal or modified devices, and interactions with pedestrians in shared spaces.
The new laws respond to those risks by strengthening rules around how devices can be used and increasing enforcement options when illegal devices are ridden in public or where behaviour may pose a safety risk.
What is an e-mobility device?
In Queensland, e-mobility devices include the following when they meet the specific design requirements:
- electrically power-assisted cycles (EPAC); and
- personal mobility devices (e.g. e-scooters, e-skateboards).
What has changed?
Licensing and age requirements
To ride an e‑mobility device in a public space you must:
- be at least 16 years old;
- hold a valid driver licence (including a learner licence); and
- not be subject to a suspension, disqualification or expiry of that licence.
This means that at a minimum you will need to meet the same medical and road knowledge standards of someone driving a car.
Exemptions
Exemptions to the age and drivers licence requirements will apply, however, the requirements for each exemption are not yet known.
Exemptions will include:
- children 12 to 17 years old being supervised by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or another person allowed under the laws;
- for health and disability reasons, a person who can safely ride the e-mobility device but does not hold a valid license; and
- certain locations (such as mountain bike trails).
New rules about what devices are legal
Legal e‑mobility device include:
- Electrically power-assisted cycles that meet EN 15194 specifications and have a compliance label; and
- Personal mobility devices with a maximum speed of 25 km/h that meet new dimensional limits.
Devices that do not meet these requirements but were compliant with the old law will be considered illegal to use in public places once the transitional period ends. The transitional period starts on 1 July 2026, and the end date has not been confirmed.
EN 15194 Exemptions
Exemptions from the EN 15194 specifications will be available in limited circumstances such as:
- when a special circumstances permit is approved;
- the device is verified as a special purpose EPAC (for example an e-trike designed for a person with a disability); or
- it is a legacy EPAC.
The rules for these exemptions are yet to be announced but will explain the steps required to apply.
Speed limits and riding rules
The laws introduce new speed limits:
- a 12 km/h limit on footpaths unless otherwise signed;
- a 12 km/h limit on shared paths when passing a pedestrian, with the signed speed limit or device specific speed limits applying at all other times;
- a 12km/h limit when using a pedestrian crossing;
- a 25km/h limit for personal mobility devices where a lower speed limit does not apply; and
- Personal mobility devices can now be used on certain roads with speed limits of up to 60 km/h, but they must not travel faster than 25 km/h. The road must not have a dividing line or median strip, and it cannot be a one-way road with more than one marked lane.
What is the difference between a footpath and a shared path?
A footpath is designed for people to walk on as pedestrians. Meanwhile, a shared path is specifically designed for both pedestrians and bicycle riders. It is clearly marked or signed, so you know where it starts and ends.
Penalties and fines
Penalties for speeding and unsafe riding have increased, with some fines effectively doubling. Importantly however, offences committed on compliant devices do not affect demerit points.
Hooning
Hooning-related behaviour now applies to e‑mobility devices.
This includes:
- organising or participating in dangerous riding behaviour;
- filming or promoting hooning activity (including posting online); and
- encouraging or spectating the behaviour.
Police evasion
Existing police evasion laws have been expanded, to now include e-mobility device riders who evade police.
Drink riding
Drink riding laws now apply to e‑mobility devices:
- low-range and mid-range drink riding offences, with fines and court penalties;
- infringement notices for less serious offences; and
- a requirement not to ride for 8 hours after being charged with certain offences.
Parking
It is now an offence to park a device on a footpath, separated footpath, bike path or nature strip in a way that unreasonably obstructs pedestrians or vehicles.
Hire providers must also provide information about the last rider when requested, to support enforcement.
New enforcement powers
Police now have the ability to:
- seize devices suspected of being illegal, including when unattended;
- permanently remove or destroy illegal devices; and
- conduct random breath testing of riders.
Fines can be issued for offences such as:
- speeding;
- not wearing a helmet;
- illegally carrying passengers;
- riding on prohibited roads; and
- riding without due care and attention.
Broader accountability
The laws also target broader accountability:
- parents can be held responsible for children under 16 riding illegally;
- hire companies must ensure riders meet age and licensing requirements; and
- retailers cannot sell devices to children under 16.
When do the changes take effect?
The changes are being introduced in stages.
From 1 July 2026:
- new police powers (seizure and breath testing);
- updated speed rules;
- increased penalties; and
- rules targeting illegal or non-compliant devices
From 31 August 2026:
- licensing requirements for riders; and
- updated age rules and exemptions
Some elements include transitional periods, particularly for device compliance. The end date of these transitional periods is not yet confirmed.
What’s next?
As the laws come into effect and relevant regulations are made, how they are applied in practice will become clearer.
You & The Law will be publishing further articles to help break this down, including how to know if your e‑bike is compliant, and what the changes mean for people who rely on e‑mobility for accessibility.
