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

Stronger laws from 1 July 2026 are now in effect:

• 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 fined for under 16s riding illegally.

Effective from 31 August 2026:

• Riders of e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles must be 16 with a licence. Some exemptions* for medical conditions and disabilities, for 12-17 year olds riding with adult supervision, and for people riding in designated recreational areas will apply.

*Details on the exemptions will be available in late August prior to 31 August. There will be a 3-month transition period for those with eligible medical exemptions to allow time for them to comply.

Effective from 28 February 2027:

• 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.

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

The new laws respond to widespread community concerns over the use of these devices.

The nation-leading reforms strengthen 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.