Personal Mobility Devices, E-bikes & E-scooters

The Queensland Government is delivering tougher e-scooter and e-bike laws from 1 July, to stop behaviour that puts lives at risk.  The new laws respond to widespread community concerns over the use of e-bikes and Personal Mobility Devices, which include e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles.

The nation-leading reforms focus on strengthening accountability for riders, parents and suppliers. They provide advice on who can ride, what they can ride, where and how fast – to keep all road users safe.

Enforcement will target the most dangerous behaviours on roads and paths, with riders facing higher penalties for disobeying the new laws.

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 by 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 with a licence 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 after 31 August 2026 here: https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au

New and increased penalties

Click below, for more information about the new laws, rules by device and other resources.