Bicycle Queensland (BQ), the state’s peak body for bicycle and scooter riders, has welcomed the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into E-mobility and called on the State Government to urgently elevate active transport to a serious and properly funded part of the state’s transport network.

Speaking at the Inquiry today, BQ Chair Rachel Nolan said the organisation, which represents more than 12,000 members across Queensland, is advocating for bold action to ensure e-mobility is safe, sustainable, and properly integrated into the broader transport system.

“Bicycle Queensland is about making active transport – not just cars – a serious, legitimate part of how Queenslanders move,” said Ms Nolan. “If our transport network supported more people to walk, ride or scoot, our cities would be greener, healthier, and far more affordable.”

BQ has made a detailed submission to the Inquiry, including a Position Statement on high-powered e-bikes, and is calling for a three-point plan:

1. Make active and e-mobility transport a mainstream part of the network
   “The Department of Transport and Main Roads estimates that every dollar spent on active transport returns five dollars in health and productivity benefits,” said Interim CEO Liana Heath. “Yet, active transport funding is less than 1% of the total transport budget of $37.4 billion over four years”.
   
2. Tougher rules on illegal high-powered e-bikes
   BQ is calling for import and point-of-sale restrictions on e-bikes that don’t meet legislated standards, as well as retroactive speed-limiting of existing vehicles that don’t comply with Queensland standards.
   
3. A state-wide public education campaign
   Interim CEO Liana Heath added, “We support smart, staged interventions and education first, better enforcement second, and not blanket restrictions that hurt the broader goal of getting people out of cars and into more sustainable transport options.”

BQ emphasised that over-regulation could backfire, discouraging people from choosing safe, low-emission alternatives and pushing them back into cars.

With over four decades of advocacy and community engagement, Bicycle Queensland remains committed to safer streets, healthier cities, and a more balanced transport future.

Bicycle Queensland’s Position Statements on High powered E-bikes can be located on the Bicycle Queensland website: Bicycle Queensland calls for action on high-powered e-bikes – Bicycle Queensland.

Bicycle Queensland’s Interim CEO Liana Heath recently spoke to the ABC, talking to Cathie Schnitzerling on the 612 ABC Brisbane Drive program on July 15, discussing the Queensland State Government’s Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility.

‘Bicycle Queensland are a community voice for people who ride bikes or scooters in Queensland, so the inquiry is certainly welcomed,’ Liana said, when quizzed on BQ’s thoughts on the inquiry.

‘Bicycle Queensland brought e-mobility issues to public attention in March this year. We wrote to the Australian parliament and Queensland transport minister, looking to solve some of the inconsistencies between state and federal laws.’ You can read BQ’s position paper on high-powered e-bikes right here.

Many topics are being covered in the Parliamentary Inquiry, with submissions coming from a wide variety of individuals, user groups, businesses and organisations. Bicycle Queensland are primarily looking for a result in standardised national guidelines for e-mobility, as Liana explained to the ABC.

‘The Australian government have gone to enormous trouble to harmonise the national road rules and transport regulations, yet with the growth of e-mobility the regulation is catching up, and at different standards in each state.’

‘We have asked for the Queensland Government to develop a logical and leading approach out of the inquiry, and work with other state governments to ensure there is national consistency.’

Rules for e-bikes and e-scooters in each state are quite different. Be it where e-scooters can be used, power limits on e-bikes and even whether a throttle can be used for said e-bike, as opposed to being purely pedal-assist and within the EN15194 nationally legislated standard.

‘This can present challenges for citizens but also tourists who aren’t clear on the changes between states,’ Liana pointed out, putting users at risk of breaching regulations purely by inconsistent standards and enforcement.

‘We would like greater public awareness around what the rules are around importation and sales of e-bikes and e-scooters – but also the road rules. We need to ensure that we are all on the same page around what the rules are.’

There are a range of simple rules for e-bikes and e-scooters in Queensland, covering important areas like where they can be used, limits on speed for e-assistance, and the power limits. You can read the specifics about the e-bike rules on our website, or for e-bikes and e-scooters on the TMR website.

‘E-bikes need to be pedal-assisted, of course an e-scooter is different and has restrictions around speed limits,’ Liana explained.

Illegal e-bikes were brought up, and the question arose – if an e-bike that exceeds the legislated standards for either maximum continuous power, throttle assistance or the fact it doesn’t even have pedals… why are they for sale?

‘The bikes can be imported under current legislation, and sold. We need better awareness at a retail level,’ Liana pointed out. This is why Bicycle Queensland are pushing for greater public awareness around what the limits are. While some devices are legal to be used on private property, that is not being publicised as strongly as it should be at the point of sale or within the marketing of retailers or importers. This puts a user at risk of fines and even demerit points, without knowing they were in breach of existing rules.

‘Once we know people are aware of the rules, we should be confident as a state of enforcing them,’ TMR’s Street Smarts website easily outlines what is legal, and what isn’t, for those unsure of where their existing e-bike or e-scooter lies.

The ABC raised the point that earlier this year, Queensland’s Minister for Transport Brent Mickelberg was not aware of any major safety concerns with compliant e-bikes.

‘BQ agrees,’ confirmed Liana. ‘The issues we see are on illegal devices, including the accidents and hooning we see on media.’ The majority of the e-bikes in question are typically throttle assisted for propulsion, often weighing well in excess of 50kg and more akin to an electric motorbike, than an e-bike.

‘We are confident the safety issues don’t exist, or are lowered if you are following the safety guidelines and using compliant e-bikes.’

‘As a membership organisation offering insurance, we don’t see the claims coming in for e-bikes and e-scooter use – as we only cover those riders who use bikes or scooters that meet the existing legislation.’

If the current restrictions are enforced, Bicycle Queensland don’t believe we would see the same level of issues currently shown in Queensland.

It is difficult to have a discussion on e-mobility without the risk of battery fires coming up, and Liana was clear on the actions needed to reduce the risk.

‘This comes down to the importation of battery and chargers. Knowing what comes in and is sold. We need a nationally consistent set of standards.’

This includes devices needing battery management software (BMS), something that is typically covered by the current legislation for e-bikes – the EN15194 standard, which also covers assistance levels, pedal assistance and maximum continuous power limits.

Given so many devices can be imported and sold that don’t meet the e-bike standards or fit the e-scooter guidelines, the question was floated – is the e-mobility landscape a modern wild west?

‘This is the whole reason the inquiry is underway. Many experts and bright minds are contributing, and there are areas in the world who are further ahead and who we can learn from. It will require some extra peddling but I’m confident that the Queensland government with stakeholders and experts will land on a safer and clearer result for the public. We are a growing state and active transport has to be part of our transport solution going forward, for congestion issues alone. But it has to be safe. I’m optimistic, and we are pushing hard at b=Bicycle Queensland for a result in this space.’

Further into the discussion, the ABC asked about BQ’s submission asking for bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters being built into the transport network, along with advocating for a drop from 50km/h to 40km/h on local streets. Speed reductions on local streets has shown to reduce the severity of accidents around the world, while also encouraging changes in mode choices.

‘This is an advocacy position BQ has had for some time. It calls for speed limits to be reduced to 40km/h in local streets. This is because it saves lives. When accidents happen at 40km/h, the result is very unlikely to be death or serious injury.’

‘It works, and has been implemented in school zones. This change would protect riders and walkers in local streets and assist to reduce road traffic deaths, but also improve sideline benefits.’

Lower speed limits on local streets can have health benefits by encouraging more people to use active transport, like bikes, scooters or walking, improving air quality and congestion – and even seeing businesses increase visitation as it is easier to stop in.

The big question in any discussion around laws or standards is one of enforcement. When asked, Liana was confident that if the benefits are promoted, community reaction would be positive.

‘We want to embrace and facilitate the growing part of our society in the active transport space of bike and scooter riders. There are clear benefits to public health and well-being. Bicycle Queensland are committed to this, and as a state we need to embrace it.’

Public education and awareness around the benefits of reduced speed limits on local streets is key, and BQ hopes to partner with the Queensland government on this messaging.

Bicycle Queensland membership supports our advocacy work, while providing peace of mind coverage when riding a bike or e-scooter.

Bicycle Queensland congratulates the State Government for its investment in a healthier happier Queensland through the Cycle Network Local Government Grants.

We particularly welcome the regional focus of these grants.

“It is great to see regional councils such as Somerset, Cassowary Coast, Douglas Shire, Mt Isa and Goondiwindi investing in improvements to their cycling networks,” said BQ’s Director of Advocacy, Andrew Demack. “Bicycle Queensland has worked closely with regional advocates and Councils across Queensland, and we welcome the outcome of those endeavours. Our face-to-face visits with BQ members and bicycle user groups across the State are an important mechanism of checking in with local advocates as these projects progress.”

We also commend the larger regional councils such as Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Fraser Coast, Sunshine Coast, Logan and Moreton Bay for putting forward worthwhile projects that will help people have safer options when they decide to cycle or walk for transport or recreation.

Every dollar invested in safe cycling infrastructure returns $5 to the community in health and economic benefits, according to the State Government’s own research. Cycling and walking infrastructure is the best value-for-money investment that the Queensland Government can make.

We encourage the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mr Mickelberg to continue to grow the Queensland Government’s commitment to active transport. Every person who decides to cycle, walk or scoot to their destinations is one less car clogging up the roads of Queensland.

You can look at all the grants that have been funded on the TMR website.

Bicycle Queensland has taken a major step toward a greener future with the adoption of a new Sustainability Policy, endorsed on 25 March 2025. This policy cements BQ’s commitment to embedding sustainable practices across all facets of its operations—from office administration and events to advocacy, community engagement, and partnerships.

As Queensland’s leading voice for riding, BQ has long championed active and sustainable transport. The new policy strengthens that position by outlining clear guidelines and actions to reduce environmental impact and support ethical, community-focused initiatives.

“We want to lead by example and inspire positive change, not just within the cycling community, but across Queensland,” said BQ CEO Alton Twine. “This policy is a roadmap to help us walk—and ride—the talk.”

Key areas of action include:

• Reducing carbon emissions through active transport advocacy and responsible staff travel policies.
• Minimising waste at events with reusable and compostable materials, plus improved recycling.
• Choosing ethical partnerships with organisations that share BQ’s sustainability values.
• Community education through workshops and campaigns promoting eco-friendly cycling and local impact projects.

BQ will also monitor progress through post-event and annual surveys, with results to be published in its annual report. Members can expect practical sustainability tips and inspiring stories to be shared through BQ’s regular communications.

“This isn’t just about reducing our own footprint,” Twine said. “It’s about helping our members and partners be part of a larger movement toward a cleaner, healthier Queensland.”

To learn more or read the full policy, click the Sustainability Policy link.