Better Transport Queensland Media Release
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
For Immediate Release
Better Transport Queensland warns e-Bike crackdown misses the real problems
Better Transport Queensland (BTQ) has warned that the Queensland Government’s proposed e-mobility laws risk creating serious unintended consequences for Queenslanders who rely on safe, legal e-bikes and e-scooters.
The Queensland Government has announced that it will accept all 28 recommendations of the Inquiry into e-Mobility Safety and use in Queensland report. This includes:
- a ban on riders under 16
- a requirement for riders to hold a learner drivers licence or above
- a 10 km/h speed limit on footpaths
- stronger police powers and higher fines
- reclassifying e-mobility devices with speeds above 25 km/h as motorcycles or mopeds
While BTQ believes that some of the proposed changes are positive, such as clearer vehicle classifications and controls on who can purchase an e-mobility device, BTQ also believes that the Queensland Government should focus solely on targeting illegal electric motorbikes and dangerous riding activities rather than creating new barriers for law abiding Queenslanders who use low-powered lawful devices for transport.
A blanket 10 km/h speed limit on footpaths and a learner-licence requirement unfairly places a burden on responsible users while doing little to address the already-illegal vehicles that are triggering public concern. BTQ believes that e-mobility speed limits should be more nuanced. For example, applying lower speeds in crowded pedestrian areas, moderate speeds on lower-conflict shared paths, and higher limits on designated bikeways.
BTQ calls on the Queensland Government to amend the proposed regulations by:
- targeting illegal high-powered e-motorbikes and tampering at the source
- retaining strong enforcement against dangerous riding
- adopting a more proportionate age limit
- dropping the requirement to hold a learner driver licence for compliant e-bikes and e-scooters
- replacing the blanket 10 km/h speed limit for footpaths with tailored speed limits
Quotes attributable to Rowan Gray, President, Better Transport Queensland
“BTQ supports tough action against high-powered illegal e-motorbikes, tampering, dangerous riding and unsafe retail sale practices. These are legitimate issues that need to be addressed.”
“However, BTQ cannot support an overreaching response that requires a Queenslander to hold a learner driver licence for riding a pedal-assisted electric bike to school, work, or the local shops.”
“A legal e-bike is not the same thing as an illegal electric motorbike. The Queensland Government should not negatively impact Queenslanders with mobility needs, tourists, and shared micromobility users who rely on compliant e-bikes and e-scooterd with a blunt policy response.”
“The proposed learner drivers licence requirement in particular would disproportionately affect people who are least well served by public transport and cannot drive a car. For example, people with a disability, older Queenslanders, car-free households, school students, international students, tourists, and delivery riders.”
“Introducing a learner licence requirement undermines school travel, active transport, and Queensland’s visitor economy at exactly the wrong time.”
“The proposed blanket 10 km/h speed limit on footpaths is unworkable.
A one-size-fits-all speed limit is poor regulation. Queensland needs rules that reflect how paths are actually used, with clear priorities for pedestrian safety but without making lawful bike riding impractical.”
“A crowded CBD footpath should be treated differently from a quiet suburban path or a designated bikeway. BTQ supports safer speeds where people are walking in large numbers, but that should be done through a sensible, tailored approach rather than a blunt one-size-fits-all speed limit.”
“On the proposed under 16 age ban, Queensland should be making it easier for teenagers to travel safely and legally, not creating even more car trips.”
“Don’t ban the safer alternative.”
Better Transport Queensland Inc. — Queensland’s leading advocacy group for public, active, and freight transport. BTQ is an independent organisation and is not affiliated with any government body.
Visit our website at www.btq.org.au.
References
- Committee Details | Queensland Parliament
- Active Transport - #71 by Verbatim9
- Children to be banned from riding e-bikes and e-scooter devices in Queensland under proposed laws - ABC News
- E-bike inquiry: Queensland to introduce laws banning e-bikes for under 16s, mandate licences and 10km/h speed limits
- Should e-bike riders be required to have a driver’s licence?
- Defend safe, legal e-bike use – Bicycle Queensland
BTQ Media Release Spokesperson - Paul Guard
(+61) 0412 345 678
[email protected]
BTQ General Media Enquiries
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