Queensland has set tough new rules around ebikes and e-scooters. What do they mean for riders?
Guardian AU
•Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:00:31 GMT
📰 What Happened
Queensland has become the first Australian state — and one of the first jurisdictions on the planet — to impose age limits and licensing requirements on ebike and e-scooter riders. The Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting our Communities) Amendment Act 2026 bans under-16s from riding an ebike in public except under parental supervision, and requires riders to hold at least a learner's driving licence, with a limited exemption for disabled people. Those two restrictions came into force on Monday, with a new speed limit regime expected to follow.
🔍 The Backstory
Queensland's transport minister says the laws target 'young hooligans' who are holding 'communities to ransom', but cycling advocates such as Bicycle Queensland argue the changes mostly hit safe, law-abiding riders. Queensland's legislation puts it in a small club globally — only a handful of other jurisdictions, including New Jersey and Israel, have passed similar e-mobility rules. The laws arrive amid rising community complaints about speeding e-bikes and e-scooters on footpaths and shared paths.
🎯 Why It Matters
The regime is the first of its kind in Australia and a test case for how states regulate the booming e-bike and e-scooter market. Its design — and any enforcement problems — will be closely watched by other states as they weigh their own restrictions on e-mobility.
Queensland has become the first Australian state — and one of the first jurisdictions on the planet — to impose age limits and licensing requirements on ebike and e-scooter riders. The Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting our Communities) Amendment Act 2026 bans under-16s from riding an ebike in public except under parental supervision, and requires riders to hold at least a learner's driving licence, with a limited exemption for disabled people. Those two restrictions came into force on Monday, with a new speed limit regime expected to follow.
Queensland's transport minister says the laws target 'young hooligans' who are holding 'communities to ransom', but cycling advocates such as Bicycle Queensland argue the changes mostly hit safe, law-abiding riders. Queensland's legislation puts it in a small club globally — only a handful of other jurisdictions, including New Jersey and Israel, have passed similar e-mobility rules. The laws arrive amid rising community complaints about speeding e-bikes and e-scooters on footpaths and shared paths.
The regime is the first of its kind in Australia and a test case for how states regulate the booming e-bike and e-scooter market. Its design — and any enforcement problems — will be closely watched by other states as they weigh their own restrictions on e-mobility.