E-bikes, E-scooters and Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs)

The Queensland Government’s tougher e-scooter and e-bike laws stop behaviour that puts lives at risk.

In addition to the rules introduced from 1 July 2026, the below new rules for age limits, licence requirements, and exemptions take effect from 31 August 2026:

• Riders of e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles must be 16 with a valid licence (minimum Learner licence). 

• Exemptions will apply for:
  • Medical conditions and disabilities
  • Riding in designated recreational areas, such as rail trails, mountain bike trails and private off-road cycling facilities.
  • 12-17 year olds riding supervised by a parent or caregiver. 16 and 17 year olds without a learner licence must be supervised to ride. The supervisor must be close enough to give the rider instructions.

There will be a 3-month grace period until 30 November 2026 for those with eligible medical exemptions to allow time to obtain an exemption form.

• Police can seize and destroy illegal devices.
• Random Breath Tests by Police to enforce drink riding for riders of e-bikes, bicycles, e-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices in public places. 0.05 BAC applies.
• Devices faster than 25km/h now 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 apply on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths for e-bikes, e-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices.
• 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. Riders can only go to a maximum speed of 25km/h.
• Higher penalties 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.
• E-scooter, e-skateboard and e-unicycle riders must be aged 16 years or older to ride unsupervised. Children aged 12-15 can ride only under adult supervision.
• Parents will be finedfor under 16s riding illegally.
• Retailers are banned from selling e-mobility devices to under 16s. Acceptable evidence of age may be required.
• New and increased penalties:
  • 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

• Compliance labelling for e-bikes* will be mandatory, by 28 February 2027.
• E-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles purchased before 1 July 2026 must be limited to a maximum output of 25km/h. Contact your retailer to discuss options.

*Information about the assurance scheme to help e-bike owners comply with the new labelling requirements, including eligibility, key dates, available locations and alternative options will be available on this website closer to 1 October 2026.

**If your e-bike was over 250w and did not comply with laws prior to 1 July, it does not comply with the new laws and will not be able to be made compliant.