What just happened

Queensland parliament passed the Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill on June 5, 2026. It was World Bicycle Day. The bill carried 122 amendments from its original form.

There are two commencement dates: July 1 and August 31. The distinction matters.

From July 1, 2026

The following apply from the first of July:

Parental accountability. Parents and guardians are liable if a child under 16 rides an e-bike on a public road, path, or shared space, unless they can show they did not know or took reasonable steps to prevent it.

Breath and drug testing. E-bike riders can be randomly tested for the first time. Drink riding penalties align with those for motor vehicles. Riders at or above 0.05 blood alcohol face fines above $500, with maximum court penalties up to $6,908.

Ban on bikes that exceed 25 km/h unassisted. Any device that can travel faster than 25 km/h without pedalling is classified as a prohibited bike and can be seized and destroyed by police. A compliant 250W pedal-assist e-bike is not affected.

Speed near pedestrians. A 12 km/h speed limit applies when riding near pedestrians.

Higher penalties. Fines increase for speeding, no helmet, careless riding, carrying passengers, and riding on prohibited roads. Retailer offences carry penalties up to $6,908.

Police seizure powers. Officers can seize and destroy prohibited bikes. Owners have 30 days to apply for return. If refused, or no application is made, the device is forfeited and may be destroyed.

From August 31, 2026

Licensing. Riders over 16 need at least a learner's driver's licence to ride an e-bike on a public road, path, or shared space. A three-year learner licence costs $77.55 at a Queensland Transport and Motoring service centre. E-wheelchair users are exempt.

Under 12 ban. Riders under 12 cannot ride e-bikes on public roads or paths.

Supervised riding for 12 to 17 year olds. Those aged 12 to 17 can ride under parental supervision from August 31. The framework for medical exemptions also begins August 31.

What does not change

The core e-bike compliance standard is unchanged. A bike is legal if it has a maximum continuous rated motor output of 250W, provides assistance only while pedalling, and cuts motor assistance at 25 km/h. This is the national EPAC standard. Queensland is not changing it.

Where does this leave riders in other states

Queensland is the only Australian state to require a licence for a compliant EPAC. New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory do not require a licence.

This matters for interstate riders visiting Queensland. If you live in NSW and ride a legal e-bike there, you will need to hold at least a learner's licence to ride the same bike across the Queensland border from August 31.

The case for and against, briefly

Supporters: the changes target genuine safety failures. Queensland recorded 14 deaths in e-mobility incidents in 2025. More than 6,000 injured riders presented to hospitals between 2022 and 2025. Many incidents involved illegal high-powered devices ridden by children.

Critics, including Bicycle Network: the licensing requirement misidentifies the problem. A compliant 250W EPAC is mechanically a bicycle. No other state or comparable overseas jurisdiction requires a licence for one. Critics argue the rule burdens legal riders while doing little about the illegal, modified devices that caused most of the harm.

Both positions are in the public record. You can read the parliamentary submissions yourself.

What to do right now if you ride in Queensland

Check that your bike is compliant: 250W continuous, pedal-assist, 25 km/h cut-off, no full-throttle operation above 6 km/h. If it exceeds those limits, it is classified as a prohibited bike.

If you do not hold a driver's licence, get a learner's licence before August 31. The cost is $77.55 for three years.

If you have children aged 12 to 15 who ride e-bikes, they will need to be with a parent or guardian from August 31, or stop riding until they are 12 and supervised.

Children under 12 cannot ride on public roads or paths regardless of supervision.