Queensland Considers Stricter E-Bike and E-Scooter Regulations
Queensland is set to introduce new safety rules for e-bikes and e-scooters, including a minimum age of 16 and a requirement for riders to hold at least a learner driver's license. A state parliamentary inquiry, dominated by the LNP, has finalized recommendations aimed at cracking down on misuse amid growing concerns over injuries, deaths, and battery fires.
Key Recommendations from the Inquiry
The inquiry, which concluded its report early, proposes that children under 16 be prohibited from riding e-bikes and e-scooters. Riders aged 16 and above would need to obtain a car learner license, which involves passing an online exam on road rules and costs $77.55 for a three-year license plus a $28.70 test fee. These rules would apply to all e-bikes and e-scooters, building on existing bans for devices exceeding 250 watts or assisting speeds over 25km/h.
Pressure for Change
The push for stricter regulations gained momentum after an eight-year-old boy died in an e-bike crash on the Sunshine Coast in October, prompting opposition calls to expedite the inquiry. Premier David Crisafulli had previously promised reforms, and police launched Operation X-Ray Surety in November to target e-bike misuse. The inquiry, initiated in May last year, received over 1,200 submissions and held 17 hearings, far exceeding typical committee activity.
Support and Opposition to the Proposals
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland and the Australian Medical Association's Queensland branch (AMAQ) advocated for the age limit, citing safety concerns. AMAQ President Dr. Nick Yim highlighted that half of all e-scooter fatalities in Australia occurred in Queensland, with a study noting 176 pediatric e-scooter trauma cases at Sunshine Coast University Hospital over two years. The AMAQ also called for enforced speed limits, certified helmets, and investment in separated infrastructure to reduce strain on overloaded hospitals.
However, Bicycle Queensland's director of advocacy, Andrew Demack, criticized the licensing requirement as "really poorly thought through," arguing that legal e-bikes pose minimal threat and are beneficial for daily mobility. He emphasized that motor vehicles remain the most dangerous on roads, referencing Department of Transport data showing 307 road fatalities in Queensland in 2025, with only eight deaths from personal mobility devices like e-scooters.
Broader Context and Next Steps
Queensland follows New South Wales, which is considering similar age restrictions after e-bike riders crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The state government has three months to respond once the inquiry's recommendations are officially released. This move reflects a national trend toward regulating e-mobility devices to enhance public safety and address infrastructure challenges.
