New e-mobility laws will come into effect across Queensland from July 1 as the State Government makes moves it describes as ‘nation-leading’ to improve the safety of riders and the wider community.
More than 6000 e-scooter-related injuries were reported at Queensland emergency departments between 2022 and 2025, prompting calls for stronger regulation.
The new laws will give Queensland Police additional powers to target dangerous e-scooter and e-bike behaviour on roads and pathways.
Measures include the ability to seize and destroy illegal devices and conduct random breath tests on riders in public places.
Under the reforms, e-bikes and e-scooters capable of travelling faster than 25km/h without rider assistance will be banned.
A 12km/h speed limit will also apply in areas with high pedestrian activity.
Penalties will increase for offences including speeding, failing to wear a helmet, careless riding, illegally carrying passengers and riding on prohibited roads.
Parents may also be held accountable if children under 16 are caught riding illegally.
From August 31, licensing requirements will be introduced with riders aged 12 to 17 only permitted to ride under parental supervision.
People with a medical condition or disability who do not hold a licence will still be able to use e-mobility devices under a medical exception framework.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the reforms responded to community concerns while supporting responsible riders.
“Our reforms are based on extensive community and expert consultation, and they strike the right balance between making our streets safer from those who do the wrong thing while backing those people who do the right thing,” he said.
“We promised to deliver nation-leading laws about who can ride, what they can ride, where they can ride and how fast – and our laws do exactly that.”
