Queensland's e-bike and e-scooter licensing regime takes effect on 1 July 2026. Twenty-eight days from publish. The Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026 is on the parliamentary docket, the government holds the numbers to pass it, and the start date is fixed. Here is what riders need to know before the date lands.

Do I need a licence

Yes. From 1 July, anyone aged 16 or over riding an e-bike or e-scooter on Queensland roads, footpaths or shared paths needs at minimum a learner driver's licence. The application cost is $77.55 for the standard learner permit. No grace period.

My child is 14. Can they still ride to school

No. Under-16s are barred from riding e-bikes and e-scooters in any public space in Queensland from 1 July. That includes shared paths, footpaths and bike lanes. The ban applies regardless of whether the device is 250W and compliant. It also applies to shared e-scooter hire fleets within Queensland borough boundaries.

Are the rules the same for an e-bike and an e-scooter

Largely yes, with one carve-out. E-bikes that are pedal-only with no motor still fall under standard cycling rules. The moment the motor switches on or a throttle is fitted, the new licensing requirement applies. E-scooters with no exception fall under the new regime.

What is the footpath speed limit

10 km/h on footpaths. 25 km/h on shared paths and bike lanes, in line with the national 250W EPAC standard. The 10 km/h footpath cap is new and is the headline enforcement priority for the first 90 days.

Can I be breath-tested

Yes. Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs on an e-bike or e-scooter is now an offence in Queensland under the same thresholds that apply to driving a car. Roadside breath testing of riders is enabled under the new bill.

What is the fine for riding without a licence

The base infringement starts at $330. The ceiling for serious offences, including unlicensed riding while causing harm, runs to $6,700. Operating a non-compliant device, riding while drug or alcohol-impaired, and exceeding the footpath speed limit all carry separate penalty structures within that range.

What if my e-bike is over 250W or has a throttle

It is non-compliant in Queensland from 1 July. Police have powers under the new bill to seize the device, and in repeat-offender cases, to authorise destruction. There is no grace period for the device specification itself, only an enforcement ramp.

I bought a 500W bike before the rules changed. Am I grandfathered in

No. Unlike the NSW transition, which provides a grace period for existing owners until 1 March 2029, Queensland's bill applies the new standard from day one with no carve-out for pre-existing ownership.

I live in NSW but ride into Queensland for work. Does the law apply

Yes. The regulation applies to where you are riding, not where you live. If you ride a non-compliant or unlicensed bike across the border, the Queensland law applies the moment you cross.

Why is the government doing this

Twelve riders died on e-bikes and e-scooters in Queensland in 2025. More than 6,000 hospitalisations were recorded between 2022 and 2025 connected to e-mobility incidents. Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg has framed the bill as a response to those numbers. Advocacy groups, including Bicycle Queensland, have criticised the breadth of the licensing requirement as a category error that lumps pedelecs in with motorcycles. The bill is expected to pass nonetheless.

What I should do before July 1

Three things. One, apply for the learner permit if you do not already hold a licence. Two, check the manual or the manufacturer's spec sheet on your e-bike to confirm the motor output is 250W rated and the device meets EN 15194. Three, if it does not, decide now whether to replace it or to retire it before the enforcement window opens.

The next four weeks are the easy ones. From 1 July, the Queensland Police can act.