Last Updated: April 2026
Queensland is about to introduce the most sweeping e-bike law reforms in Australian history. The Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced to parliament on 25 March 2026 by Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg. The committee reviewing the bill is due to table its report on 8 May 2026. The government holds a majority, and the legislation is expected to pass, with changes taking effect from 1 July 2026 and a six-month transition period.
If you ride an e-bike in Queensland, or you are planning to buy one, this article explains what is changing, what stays the same, and what you need to do to stay legal. The core e-bike power and speed requirements (250 W, 25 km/h, pedal-assist) are not changing. What is changing is everything around enforcement, licensing, age restrictions, and penalties.
For the national picture, see our hub article: E-Bike Laws in Australia (2026): Everything You Need to Know.
- E-bike throttle rules in Australia
- Continuous power vs peak power
- What is EN 15194 certification?
- Do you need insurance for an e-bike in Australia?
- NSW e-bike laws
- E-bike laws Victoria
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. The legislation discussed is before parliament and subject to amendment. Always check with the Queensland Government for the most current requirements.
Why Is Queensland Changing the Rules?
The reforms are a direct response to a safety crisis. Queensland recorded 14 deaths in e-mobility device incidents in 2025, including several children. More than 6,000 injured riders presented to hospital emergency departments between 2022 and 2025. Data from select Queensland emergency departments showed a consistent year-on-year increase in injuries involving riders under 16, with over a quarter of all e-mobility injuries in 2025 involving someone under 16 (QLD Parliament Explanatory Notes).
Two teenagers died in a single crash at Greenbank south of Brisbane on 12 March 2026, riding an e-bike without headlights. Many of the serious injuries and deaths involved devices that were never legal in the first place, including high-powered electric motorbikes capable of exceeding 100 km/h, sold online and ridden by teenagers.
Operation X-Ray Surety, a 12-week police enforcement blitz that ended in January 2026, issued more than 2,794 infringements to e-mobility riders. Of those, 2,100 were for riding without a helmet. Police removed 142 non-compliant devices from the road (Smith’s Lawyers).
The parliamentary inquiry into e-mobility safety received more than 1,200 submissions and tabled its report on 4 March 2026, making 28 recommendations. The government accepted or accepted in principle all 28. The bill was introduced three weeks later.
Premier David Crisafulli described the changes as “nation-leading reforms,” adding: “We promised we’d take action on e-bikes and e-scooters. These reforms will help make Queensland safer.”
What Is Changing from 1 July 2026?
The bill proposes the following changes, subject to parliamentary approval. The committee report is due 8 May 2026, and a six-month transition period will follow the commencement date.
Licensing Requirement
All e-bike riders over 16 will need to hold a valid driver’s licence of any type or class. This effectively sets a learner’s licence as the minimum requirement. The cost of a three-year learner licence in Queensland is $77.55. E-wheelchair users are exempt.
This is the most significant change. No other Australian state currently requires a licence to ride a legal EPAC. Queensland will be the first.
Minimum Age of 16
Riders under 16 will be banned from riding e-bikes on public roads, paths, and shared spaces. Parents or guardians who allow their child under 16 to ride an e-bike unlawfully can be fined, unless they can prove they did not know of the conduct or took all reasonable steps to prevent it.
This applies to all e-bikes, including compliant 250 W EPACs. A 15-year-old who can legally ride a regular bicycle at any speed cannot legally ride a pedal-assist e-bike under the proposed rules.
Fines from $330 to $6,700
The bill increases penalties across the board:
- Riding without due care (weaving, riding too close to others, failing to alert pedestrians before overtaking): approximately $500
- Riding without a helmet: increased from current levels
- Speeding: increased penalties, with escalation for higher speeds
- Carrying passengers: fines apply
- Riding on a prohibited road: fines apply
- Retailer offences (selling e-bikes to under-16s, selling non-compliant devices): up to approximately $6,700 for a first offence
- Hooning offences: new offences targeting riders who organise meets to film and post illegal riding on social media
- Riding an illegal device: penalties escalate for repeat offences
Unpaid infringement notices for riders aged 16 and 17 will now be enforceable through the State Penalties Enforcement Registry.
Seizure and Destruction Powers
Police will gain new powers to seize “prohibited bikes” used, or reasonably suspected of having been used, on roads, shared paths, or in public places. The framework includes:
- 30-day application period for owners to apply for the return of a seized vehicle
- The Police Commissioner can extend this by 30 days where reasonable
- If the application is refused (or no application is made), the vehicle is forfeited to the State and may be destroyed
- Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will manage transportation, storage, and destruction of seized vehicles under an agreement with Queensland Police
These powers are specifically designed to address high-powered, non-compliant devices being sold as “e-bikes” when they are effectively unregistered electric motorbikes.
Random Breath Testing
E-bike riders will be subject to random breath and drug testing for the first time. Drink and drug driving penalties will apply to e-bike riders, matching the regime for motorcycle and motor vehicle riders.
Footpath Speed Limit
A 10 km/h speed limit will apply on all footpaths and shared paths. A new offence will make it illegal to ride near pedestrians without due care. Currently, there is no specific footpath speed limit for e-bikes in Queensland.
Road Access Expanded
Riders will be permitted on roads with speed limits up to 60 km/h, encouraging a shift from footpaths to roads. This is intended to reduce conflicts between e-bike riders and pedestrians on shared paths.
Parking Offences
Parking e-bikes in a hazardous or obstructive manner will become an offence. Council rangers and police will both have the ability to issue these fines.
What Is NOT Changing?
The core e-bike compliance standard remains exactly the same:
- Maximum continuous rated power: 250 W
- Pedal-assist only: The motor must operate only while you are pedalling
- Speed cut-off: Motor assistance must stop at 25 km/h
- Throttle limit: Walk-assist up to 6 km/h only
- Certification: EN 15194 (or equivalent)
If your e-bike meets these requirements today, it will still meet them after 1 July. The bike itself is not the issue. The new requirements are about the rider (licence, age) and the penalties for non-compliance.
The EN 15194 Versioning Issue
There is one technical complication that is generating significant industry concern. The draft legislation references the updated EN 15194:2017+A1:2023 standard. The “+A1:2023” amendment primarily addresses battery safety testing requirements.
The issue is that virtually every e-bike sold in Australia before mid-2025 was certified to the earlier EN 15194:2017 standard, because the +A1:2023 amendment did not exist when they were manufactured. If the legislation is enacted as currently drafted, these bikes could technically become non-compliant overnight, not because they are unsafe or overpowered, but because of a battery certification version that postdates their manufacture.
Industry groups including Electric Bikes Brisbane and Bicycle Queensland have flagged this as a serious problem requiring a grandfathering provision. The expectation is that this will be addressed during the committee review process or through regulatory guidance, as retroactive compliance with a standard that did not exist at the time of manufacture has no precedent in Australian or international regulatory practice.
We will update this section once the committee tables its report on 8 May 2026.
What About Existing Riders? Do I Need to Do Anything?
If you already ride a compliant e-bike in Queensland, the main actions are:
Get a licence if you don’t have one. If you are over 16 and do not hold a driver’s licence, you will need at least a learner’s licence from 1 July 2026 (assuming the legislation passes). The cost is $77.55 for three years. You can apply at any Queensland Transport and Motoring customer service centre.
Check your bike’s compliance. Ensure your e-bike is 250 W continuous, pedal-assist, with a 25 km/h cut-off. If it exceeds these limits, it will be classified as a prohibited bike and can be seized. If you are unsure, check the motor label or look for EN 15194 certification. For more on what to look for, read our article on EN 15194 certification.
Adjust your riding speed on footpaths. The new 10 km/h footpath speed limit is significantly slower than most riders are accustomed to. If you commute on shared paths, consider shifting to road routes where the 25 km/h assist limit applies.
Talk to your children. If you have children under 16 who ride e-bikes, they will need to stop. Parents can be fined if their child rides unlawfully.
The Debate: Is Licensing the Right Approach?
The licensing requirement has been the most contested element of the reforms. Bicycle Queensland’s Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack has publicly criticised the approach, describing it as a “category error.”
His argument is straightforward: a compliant 250 W EPAC is mechanically a bicycle. The motor cuts out at 25 km/h and produces 250 W of continuous power. No other jurisdiction in Australia, Europe, or North America requires a driver’s licence to ride one. A 15-year-old who cannot legally ride a compliant EPAC under the proposed laws can still legally ride a regular bicycle at 50 km/h down a hill with no licence, no age restriction, and no penalty.
Industry groups have also flagged practical concerns: the impact on delivery riders (many of whom use e-bikes as their primary work tool), tourism operators (who offer e-bike hire for visitors), and shared e-mobility schemes. International tourists without an Australian driver’s licence would also be unable to legally use hire e-bikes.
The counter-argument, advanced by the government and supported by the parliamentary inquiry, is that the licensing requirement acts as a gateway to road safety education. A learner’s licence requires passing a written road rules test, which proponents argue better equips riders to navigate traffic environments.
This article does not take a position on the debate. The reforms are before parliament, the committee report is due on 8 May 2026, and the legislation is expected to pass given the government’s majority. We will update this article with the final outcome.
How Queensland Compares to Other States
| Requirement | QLD (from July 2026) | NSW | VIC | WA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power limit | 250 W | 250 W | 250 W | 250 W |
| Speed cut-off | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Licence required? | Yes (learner’s minimum) | No | No | No |
| Minimum age | 16 | Under review | None | 16 |
| Footpath riding | Yes (10 km/h limit) | Children only | Under 13 only | Yes |
| Seizure powers | Yes (from July 2026) | Yes (from March 2026) | Yes | Yes |
| Breath testing | Yes (from July 2026) | No | No | No |
Queensland will be the first and only Australian state to require a licence for EPAC riders. It also sets the highest maximum fine ($6,700 for retailer offences) and introduces breath testing for e-bike riders.
For details on other states, see our articles on NSW e-bike laws and Victorian e-bike laws.
Where Can You Ride an E-Bike in Queensland?
Under the current rules (and continuing under the proposed changes):
- Roads: Legal on all roads with speed limits up to 60 km/h (expanded from the current limit under the proposed changes)
- Bike lanes and cycleways: Full access
- Shared paths: Legal, but a 10 km/h speed limit will apply from July 2026
- Footpaths: Legal for all ages (subject to the under-16 ban), with a 10 km/h speed limit from July 2026
- No-go areas: Motorways and roads with speed limits above 60 km/h
Helmets are mandatory in Queensland. The fine for riding without a helmet is being increased under the proposed legislation.
Helmet and Equipment Requirements
- Helmet: Mandatory for all riders. Must meet AS/NZS 2063 or equivalent
- Lights: Required for riding at night or in poor visibility. White front light and red rear light, each visible from 200 metres
- Rear reflector: Red, visible from 50 metres
- Bell or warning device: Required. The new “riding without due care” offence specifically targets riders who fail to alert pedestrians before overtaking
- Brakes: At least one functioning brake required. We recommend hydraulic disc brakes for the stopping power e-bikes demand. See our e-bike brakes guide
Insurance in Queensland
Legal EPACs do not carry compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance in Queensland. This means if you cause an accident and injure someone, you are personally liable.
The licensing requirement does not change this. Even with a learner’s licence, your e-bike will not be covered by CTP. You are still riding an unregistered bicycle, and the liability gap remains.
Options for Queensland riders include joining Bicycle Queensland or AusCycling for public liability cover, taking out specialist e-bike insurance, and checking your home and contents policy.
If your e-bike is non-compliant, you are uninsurable. No cycling membership, home insurance, or specialist policy will cover an unregistered motor vehicle. For the full breakdown, read our guide: Do You Need Insurance for an E-Bike in Australia?
Frequently Asked Questions
From 1 July 2026 (subject to the legislation passing), yes. All e-bike riders over 16 will need to hold at least a learner’s driver’s licence. The cost is $77.55 for three years. E-wheelchair users are exempt.
Under the proposed laws, no. Riders under 16 will be banned from riding e-bikes on public roads, paths, and shared spaces. Parents who allow their child to ride unlawfully can also be fined.
Fines range from $330 to $6,700 depending on the offence. Retailer offences (selling non-compliant devices or selling to under-16s) carry the highest penalties. Rider fines cover non-compliance, speeding, no helmet, carrying passengers, and riding without due care. Police can also seize and destroy non-compliant bikes.
If your bike meets the EPAC standard (250 W continuous, pedal-assist, 25 km/h cut-off), it is legal. The power and speed requirements are not changing. However, you will need a licence from 1 July 2026, and riders under 16 will not be permitted to ride. There is an industry concern about the EN 15194 versioning (2017 vs 2017+A1:2023), which is expected to be resolved during the committee process.
Under the proposed laws, yes. Police will have powers to seize and destroy “prohibited bikes” used on public roads or paths. If your bike exceeds the 250 W/25 km/h limits, or uses a throttle that operates above 6 km/h without pedalling, it qualifies as a prohibited bike. Owners have 30 days to apply for return of a seized bike. If the application is refused, the bike is forfeited and may be destroyed.
Under the proposed laws, yes. E-bike riders will be subject to random breath and drug testing for the first time. Drink and drug driving penalties will apply.
From July 2026, a 10 km/h speed limit will apply on all footpaths and shared paths. Riding near pedestrians without due care will also be an offence, with fines of approximately $500.
Summary
Queensland’s e-bike reforms are the most significant in the country. If the legislation passes as expected, riders over 16 will need a licence, under-16s will be banned, fines will reach up to $6,700, police will be able to seize and destroy non-compliant bikes, and breath testing will apply for the first time. A 10 km/h speed limit will apply on footpaths, and new hooning offences will target social media-fuelled illegal riding.
The core e-bike standard is not changing. A 250 W, EN 15194 certified, pedal-assist e-bike remains legal and is the only compliant option. What is changing is the enforcement environment around it.
The committee reviewing the bill is due to report on 8 May 2026. We will update this article as the final rules are confirmed.
For the full national picture, see our article: E-Bike Laws in Australia (2026): Everything You Need to Know. Or explore our range of EN 15194 certified e-bikes.
Official Queensland Sources:
