Bicycle Queensland has welcomed three significant funding announcements for mountain bike trail networks across the state, highlighting the growing recognition of cycling infrastructure as an investment in healthier communities, regional tourism and Queensland’s outdoor lifestyle.
The funding includes $355,000 to Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club (GCMTB) for repairs to the Nerang National Park trail network on the Gold Coast as part of the Sport and Recreation Recovery Grants developed by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments. GCMTB President Bryan King said the club’s limited volunteer resources were insufficient to repair the extensive damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred across the trail network.
Source: Rocky Trail Entertainment
“Without funding from the Sport and Recreation Recovery Grant, we would not be able to restore the trails to a safe and sustainable condition, putting the entire network at risk of closure since Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has extremely limited funding which does not stretch to cover all needed mountain bike trail maintenance.”
Other clubs have received funding through other schemes, with $1.1 million for repairs at Douglas Mountain Bike Park in Townsville through the efforts of the Townsville Rockwheelers, and $813,000 for repairs and improvements at First Turkey Mountain Bike Reserve in Rockhampton via Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club.
The club has grand plans for further expansion at First Turkey, including an 8km gravity trail from the top of Mount Archer. Given the club has attracted state level gravity events, the further investment would be a bonus for tourism and would help attract state or national level events.
Bicycle Queensland Director of Advocacy, Andrew Demack, said the announcements were an important step towards growing participation in riding across Queensland.
“Formal, sustainable mountain bike facilities provide safe and accessible places for people of all ages and abilities to ride,” Demack said.
“These trail networks are community assets that support physical activity, connect people with nature and create opportunities for families and friends to spend time outdoors together. Continued investment in quality facilities helps more Queenslanders discover the benefits of riding.”
Mountain biking continues to grow in popularity across Australia, with trail networks increasingly recognised as valuable recreational infrastructure that delivers social, health and economic benefits to local communities.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said investment in mountain bike facilities also aligns with the state’s long-term economic and tourism ambitions.
“Queensland is blessed with incredible landscapes and outdoor destinations. High-quality mountain bike facilities attract visitors, support local businesses and help regional communities diversify their tourism offerings,” Dr Burke said.
“These projects demonstrate how investment in riding infrastructure contributes to healthier communities while supporting the Queensland Government’s vision for a thriving and active state. We congratulate the local clubs, volunteers and councils whose advocacy and hard work have helped secure this funding.”
The continued growth and improvement of formal mountain bike facilities across the state will be essential to supporting the future of bike riding in Queensland and ensuring more people have access to safe, enjoyable places to ride. Or as we like to say, it’s an essential part of having local trails for local kids.
Bicycle Queensland advocates for all types of riders. Membership supports BQ’s advocacy work around the state, while also offering extensive membership benefits.
Queensland’s e-mobility laws have changed significantly in 2026, with new rules covering e-bike power and speed, rider behaviour, age and licensing requirements, and stronger enforcement powers.
The latest changes take effect from 31 August 2026, introducing minimum age and driver licence requirements for people riding e-bikes and other e-mobility devices in public places.
There are exemptions for supervised young riders, people with eligible medical conditions or disabilities, and riding in designated recreational areas.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is a legal e-bike in Queensland?
To be legal to ride in public places in Queensland, an e-bike must:
Have pedals as its primary source of power
Have a motor with a maximum continuous rated power output of 250 watts
Provide motor assistance only up to 25km/h
Stop providing motor assistance once the bike reaches 25km/h
If fitted with throttle control, provide throttle-only assistance only up to 6km/h to help the rider start moving.
Meet the EN 15194 European Standard for electrically power-assisted cycles, subject to transitional arrangements for some existing e-bikes.
Importantly, a high-powered e-bike cannot be made legal simply by electronically restricting or ‘locking’ its output or maximum assisted speed.
If the motor is more powerful than the permitted 250 watts of maximum continuous rated power, it is not a legal e-bike for use on Queensland roads or public paths – even if software has been used to restrict its performance.
The Queensland Government has introduced transitional arrangements for some e-bikes. In general, e-bikes used in public spaces will ultimately need to either meet EN 15194 or be verified as meeting the standard’s core safety requirements through the Queensland Government’s E-Bike Assurance Scheme.
Owners of eligible existing e-bikes will have until 28 February 2027 to have their bike verified and appropriately labelled.
The Assurance Scheme is being developed for e-bikes manufactured before 1 July 2026 that meet the core safety features of EN 15194 but were not certified to the standard. It will also provide a pathway for some non-standard or adaptive e-bikes and e-trikes used by people with a disability or medical condition.
High-powered or high-speed devices that exceed Queensland’s legal e-bike limits are not covered by this transition.
How old do you need to be to ride an e-bike?
From 31 August 2026, the general rule is that you must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver licence to ride an e-bike or other e-mobility device on a road, road-related area or in a public place. The minimum licence is a Learner licence. A valid interstate or overseas driver licence can also satisfy the requirement.
However, there are some important exemptions.
Riders aged 12–15
Children aged 12 to 15 can ride an e-bike without a driver licence when supervised by a parent or caregiver. The supervising adult needs to remain close enough to easily observe and communicate with the young rider and provide immediate instructions.
Riders aged 16–17
Riders aged 16 or 17 can ride independently if they hold a valid driver licence – including a Learner licence. If they don’t have a licence, they can still ride when appropriately supervised by a parent or caregiver.
Children under 12
Children under 12 cannot ride an e-bike in ordinary public areas.
Different age and licensing rules can apply within designated recreational riding areas.
Do adults need a driver licence to ride an e-bike?
Yes.
From 31 August 2026, riders aged 16 and over must hold a valid driver licence to ride an e-bike in public, unless an exemption applies. This can be a Queensland Learner, Provisional or Open licence, or a valid equivalent interstate or overseas licence.
You do not need to register a legal e-bike.
Are there exemptions from the age and licence rules?
Yes. The Queensland Government has introduced exemptions covering three main circumstances:
Supervised riders aged 12–17
People with eligible medical conditions or disabilities
Riding on mountain bike trails, rail trails or private mountain bike parks
The exemptions apply to the age and driver licence requirements – they do not turn an otherwise illegal high-powered device into a legal e-bike.
What about rail trails and mountain bike parks?
Age and driver licence exemptions do not apply on rail trails, mountain bike trails and private off-road cycling facilities. This means riders are able to use a legal e-bike on a marked mountain biek trail, or network, rail trail or private mountain bike park without meeting the normal age or driver licence requirements.
What if I can’t hold a driver licence for medical reasons?
A medical or disability exemption is available for people aged 16 and over who cannot hold a driver licence because of a medical condition or disability but can safely operate an e-mobility device.
An eligible health practitioner can complete an E-Mobility Driver Licence Exemption form with the rider. The exemption can be issued for up to five years and can specify which type of e-mobility device the person can use. Conditions can also be applied where appropriate.
The rider keeps the completed exemption form and must be able to produce it when required, in either digital or hard copy format.A grace period applies until 30 November 2026 to give eligible riders time to obtain their exemption.
What are the speed limits?
E-bike riders must obey the bicycle road rules as well as the specific rules applying to e-bikes.
On footpaths, the maximum speed for an e-bike is 12km/h.
On shared paths, riders must obey the signed speed limit and slow to a maximum of 12km/h when passing pedestrians. You may need to ride more slowly around children, dogs, people with limited mobility or in other busy areas.
The 25km/h figure associated with an e-bike is the speed at which motor assistance must cease. It is not a universal 25km/h speed limit for bicycles.
What counts as a footpath or shared path?
Different speed requirements apply depending on whether infrastructure is legally considered a footpath, shared path, bicycle path or another type of road-related area. It may not be straightforward to determine what exactly you are on. Riders should follow signage and ride to the conditions, particularly where pedestrians are present.
Bicycle Queensland continues to encourage government and councils to ensure cycling infrastructure is clearly designated and signed so riders can readily understand which rules apply.
Can police seize an illegal e-bike?
Yes.
Queensland Police have stronger powers to deal with illegal e-mobility devices, including the power to seize, impound and potentially destroy prohibited devices. This includes high-powered devices that resemble e-bikes but do not meet Queensland’s legal e-bike requirements.
A device with a motor exceeding 250 watts maximum continuous rated power, or one that continues providing motor assistance above 25km/h, is not a legal e-bike for use on public roads and paths.
A high-powered device also does not become a legal e-bike simply because its power or speed has been restricted through software.
Can parents be fined?
Yes.
Parents and guardians can face penalties for allowing children to use illegal e-mobility devices. From 31 August, age and licensing requirements also apply, although children aged 12–17 can ride under the supervision exemption. If you’re buying an e-bike for a young rider, make sure both the bike and the rider comply with the rules.
Can you buy an e-bike if you’re under 16?
No.
From 1 July 2026, it is illegal for commercial or private sellers to sell an e-mobility device to anyone under 16. This includes e-bikes, e-scooters and other e-mobility devices.
A parent can purchase a legal e-bike that will be used by a child under the applicable supervision or recreational-area exemptions, but the e-mobility device cannot be sold directly to someone aged under 16.
What about drink riding?
Queensland’s drink-riding laws also apply to bicycles, e-bikes and personal mobility devices. Police have additional powers to conduct roadside alcohol testing of riders, with a 0.05 blood alcohol concentration limit applying.
What does this mean for riders of safe, legal e-bikes?
For most people already riding a safe, legal e-bike from a recognised bicycle brand, the fundamental definition of an e-bike should look familiar: pedal assistance, a 250W maximum continuous rated motor output and assistance that cuts out at 25km/h.
The biggest changes for riders are the new age and driver licence requirements, the new 12km/h footpath and pedestrian-passing requirements. If you already own an older e-bike and are unsure whether it meets EN 15194, keep an eye on information about the Queensland Government’s E-Bike Assurance Scheme ahead of the 28 February 2027 deadline.
And if you’re buying a new e-bike, make sure it is clearly sold as compliant with EN 15194 and legal for use on Queensland roads and paths.
By becoming a member of Bicycle Queensland, you support BQ’s advocacy for bike riders in Queensland, and have insurance cover for bike riding – full details of membership inclusions can be read here.
BQ’s E-bike rally at Brisbane Botanic Gardens 21-04-2026 to save safe legal e-bikes. Photo by Element Photo and Video Productions.
Brisbane City Council have announced they are adding a much-needed 1.2km section to Brisbane’s growing bikeway network. The new addition will run along Shafston Avenue from Kangaroo Point to East Brisbane. Importantly, the addition will connect with existing bikeways at both Deakin Street and Mowbray park, delivering not just a safer route to the city – but one that is easier to navigate for new and experienced riders alike.
Bicycle Queensland is pleased to see the addition to the network as part of the CycleLink Cycleway commitment, which will be an essential part of moving people around the city for the Brisbane 2032 Games – and every other day of the year.
‘Brisbane has some excellent cycling infrastructure, and the bones of a great network. Projects like this are what’s required to connect existing bikeways to deliver safe, connected routes,’ said BQ’s Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack.
‘This extends the safe bikeways of Elizabeth and Edward Streets in the centre of Brisbane out to the Eastern suburbs for the first time,’ said BQ’s CEO Dr Matthew Burke.
‘Council is now fixing two of the most important missing links in the bikeway network, here at Kangaroo Point, and also at Sylvan Road in the west. With these two projects alone, you’ll now be able to ride safely all the way from Sumner and Jindalee, through to Norman Park. Now the challenge will be to extend the safe, low-risk bicycle networks further east, through Morningside, Seven Hills and Camp Hill.’
Dr Burke said ‘We’re grateful for Shafston Ave, but Bicycle Queensland is not giving up on the completion of the riverside bikeway that remains half-built along the western side of Kangaroo Point. We know completing this through would be incredibly popular, fulfilling the original Council Riverwalk plan that has already benefited Brisbane so much.’
Shaftston Ave is the third phase of the CityLink Cycleway program, following on from the initial stages that include the Kangaroo Point Bridge and connections through the CBD on Edward St and Elizabeth St towards Southbank via Victoria Bridge. The CityLink Cycleway will also be extended along Melbourne Street towards the heart of West End.
Costs for the project haven’t been released, however the project will be funded in the budget via a 50-50 agreement with the state government.
Brisbane City Council has released two sets of concept plans for the long-asked-for safe link from the Miskin Street terminus of the Centenary Cycleway at Toowong, and the Bicentennial Bikeway.
This one of the busiest bike commuting routes in Brisbane, and it runs for 1.8km along Sylvan Rd and Land Street. Bicycle Queensland and the bicycle user groups have been asking for a safe off-road route along Syvlan Rd since the Centenary Cycleway opened in 2005.
There are two concept design options for the Sylvan Road and Land Street corridor which both provide protected bikeways separated from people walking and driving. One option provides a continuous bi-directional bikeway and the other option is part uni-directional/part bi-directional bikeway.
The bi-directional version has some advantages. In that design, Sylvan Rd would be one-way only from the Milton Rd corner east-bound to Croydon Rd intersection. Even though the proposed bikeway would cross from one side of the road to the other halfway through that section, it would be crossing only one lane of traffic.
The alternate has a single lane bikeway either side of two-way traffic, in the same Milton Rd-Croydon Rd section.
One notable improvement that is shown on both proposed designs is the removal of on-street parking for the length of Sylvan Rd. This will certainly have a safety benefit for people using the bikeway.
Both designs use a bi-directional bikeway on the north side of Sylvan Rd, from the Croydon Rd corner east-bound past Wests Rugby and Toowong Memorial Park, and continuing along Land St until it joins the underpass towards the Bicentennial Bikeway.
Brisbane City Council is inviting people to “have their say” on these proposed designs. Bicycle Queensland’s message to our bike-riding community is to make sure you weigh in with massive support for the project. This is a bikeway that we don’t want to see held back by local residents who wrongly perceive that it will create problems for them. So hit the link and let them know!
The Federal Government’s 2026-27 Budget has delivered a boost for active transport and e-bike safety, with new funding commitments that could shape how Australians ride and move for the next decade.
Among the headline measures is a $500 million investment over 10 years for walking and cycling infrastructure, alongside targeted funding to improve e-bike product safety standards and import compliance. The new infrastructure funding package will provide $50 million annually to support the construction and upgrade of bikeways, shared paths and walking infrastructure around the country. While details on project allocation are yet to be released, the commitment marks one of the largest dedicated federal active transport investments in recent years.
The funding arrives as state and local governments continue to grapple with rising demand for safer riding and walking corridors, particularly in growing urban areas where separated infrastructure remains limited.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke said: “We’re delighted to see our nation’s Active Transport Infrastructure Fund become a long-term commitment, as has long been the case with road and rail funding. This was a good move by the Commonwealth and will be well-received by the millions of Australians who ride bikes.”
BQ is seeking a policy change that would build further cycling infrastructure as part of Commonwealth transport projects. When transport minister, Anthony Albanese sought to introduce a ‘positive provision’ policy that writes into Commonwealth grants that states must provide walking and cycling infrastructure as part of all urban road and rail projects. Footpaths and bikeways alongside and over the freeways would no longer be ‘gold-plating’ but become essential parts of the project. These policies are not controversial: they are widely adopted across the world; all Australia’s state governments have adopted them.
The Budget also includes $6.6 million to strengthen Australia’s product safety and recall systems for e-bikes and related devices. BQ and other state and national bike advocacy groups have been calling on the Commonwealth to take such steps. The reforms are expected to focus on improving compliance with recognised standards, including the European EN15194 standard, which limits pedal-assist e-bikes to 250 watts of continuous power and pedal assistance up to 25km/h.
Dr Burke said: “We believe this may involve new actions taken through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. This will hopefully penalise retailers who sell the most dangerous of the illegal, high-speed devices that are currently masquerading as pushbikes, and ensure they never get on our streets, paths or parks.”
BQ is still calling on the Commonwealth to introduce compulsory declarations by e-bike importers to state that they are only bringing in product that meets EN15194. This would also help stop the illegal devices from reaching our shores.
While the Federal Budget introduces stronger safety oversight and infrastructure funding, it stops short of offering direct purchase incentives for individuals buying e-bikes. There should be consideration for e-bikes to be included in Fringe Benefits Tax exemptions currently available for electric vehicles, as the change would help reduce congestion, emissions and transport costs. No such measure was included in this year’s Budget.
E-bikes and e-mobility are getting people moving.
The 2026-27 Budget signals that cycling infrastructure and e-bike policy are increasingly becoming part of mainstream transport planning at a federal level. But we will wait to see how effective this seed funding can be at delivering the major infrastructure changes needed, and whether the mess of non-compliant device import and sales can be cleaned up.
BQ's E-bike rally at Brisbane Botanic Gardens 21-04-2026 to save safe legal e-bikes. Photo by Element Photo and Video Productions.
The Parliamentary Committee’s latest recommendations into Queensland’s proposed e-mobility laws still fail to properly address the core safety issues facing the state, while creating new uncertainty for riders, industry and enforcement agencies.
This is despite 5,000 public submissions to the committee, 95% of which are telling the Government that they are wrong on licences, very low speed limits and age restrictions for safe, legal e-bikes.
Bicycle Queensland welcomes only three of the proposed recommendations of the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee to amend the Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026. The recommendations still avoids tackling the main issues around the sale of electric motorbikes and non-compliant devices in Queensland – despite the need to close the loopholes that allow it.
In terms of positive outcomes, BQ supports Recommendation 2, which would allow compliant e-bikes built to previous versions of the EN15194 standard to remain legal.
“Grandfathering earlier EN15194 compliant e-bikes is a sensible recommendation. It recognises that hundreds of thousands of safe, low-speed and low-power e-bikes are already in use across Queensland. Compliant e-bikes keep people moving and reduce congestion,” said BQ’s CEO Dr Matthew Burke.
We do have serious concerns about several other recommendations, particularly around proposed certification and exemption frameworks.
Recommendation 3 proposes investigating exemption pathways for devices that do not fully meet EN15194 standards, including adaptive e-trikes and mobility devices. Bicycle Queensland says the recommendation lacks detail and appears to underestimate the complexity and cost involved.
“There has been little evidence that the committee has properly thought through how such a scheme would work in practice,” Dr Burke said. “BQ supports e-mobility access for adaptive e-trikes and mobility devices. But a new certification and exemption process may require an entirely new network for assessment, compliance logging, verification and auditing, alongside specialist training for those undertaking assessments. None of that has been costed or explained.”
Similar concerns were raised about Recommendation 4, which proposes a statewide assurance and labelling scheme for compliant e-bikes.
“The bike industry, retailers and riders all welcome the addition of a possible pathway to compliance for the tens of thousands of safe, legal e-bikes that do not have compliance markings (as they weren’t ever needed before). But we need clarity before any new certification system is introduced.”
“At the moment, the recommendation is vague and risks creating confusion and unnecessary red tape for compliant riders and businesses. This new system of compliance will come at great cost and needs proper planning, lest it be abused and therefore ineffective. It needs a lot of consultation with the bike industries, advocates and other stakeholders to get this right. That can’t be done this month.”
We are particularly critical of Recommendation 5, which proposes exemption mechanisms for people unable to hold a driver licence due to disability, medical conditions or age.
“This recommendation still links the use of safe, legal e-bikes to driver licensing. Compliant, EN-standard e-bikes are low-speed, low-power devices that already operate within strict limits.
“Licensing requirements for compliant e-bikes should be scrapped entirely, not patched over with convoluted carve-out systems.”
There have been minor modifications to proposed footpath and shared-path speed rules but they remain poorly drafted and disconnected from how active transport infrastructure actually works in Queensland.
We welcome efforts to better define footpaths and separate them from shared paths, but the bill still fails to recognise multi-use trails and tourism infrastructure such as rail trails.
“That omission creates a significant legal grey area. Queensland has invested heavily in rail trails and recreational tourism infrastructure in National Parks, yet the bill still does not clearly account for those environments. Riders and operators could be caught in a legal trap.”
The committee’s suggestion of reduced speed limits within 10 metres of pedestrians was also described as impractical and unenforceable.
“The recommendation simply does not reflect real-world conditions,” Dr Burke said.
“A pedestrian could be sitting on a park bench, walking on the opposite side of a road, or using a separate footpath entirely. The proposal creates ambiguity for riders and law enforcement alike.”
While Recommendation 8 suggests guidance for companies like public hire schemes like Neuron and Lime, the likelihood is they will all leave Queensland. The licensing requirements and age limits will remove too much of their business for them to stay viable, as they told the Committee at hearings last week.
Recommendation 9 proposes a 12-month review of the legislation if passed. But we question whether the bill itself should proceed at all. “The missing link is comprehensive road safety education in primary and secondary schools. If Queensland is serious about improving behaviour and safety outcomes, and lowering the road toll education needs to begin long before someone gets in a car.”
“The best use of taxpayer money would be to scrap this bill and focus directly on the key safety issues.”
“That means targeting the importation and sale of illegal high-powered devices, cracking down on retailers doing the wrong thing, and properly funding Queensland Police to enforce the rules that already exist.”
“The current bill largely fails to do any of that. The Committee’s LNP majority seems to have no way out of the mess they themselves created. The Labor minority report makes clear just how emphatic the community response has been by Queenslanders of all walks of life to this terrible bill,” said BQ’s CEO Dr. Matthew Burke.
“We are amazed that the same rogue shops selling the same illegal high-speed and overpowered devices that created this whole mess, are still going to be in business and be allowed to sell the same dangerous products from 1st of July. It’s the number one thing this Committee should have done. That they’ve gone a year now and not realised it is stunning,” said BQ CEO Dr Matthew Burke.
“How the committee continues to get this so wrong is beyond us. They heard from internationally significant bicycle safety researchers who said 10km/h will create risk to riders and to those around them on paths as they becomes so unstable, but they refused to listen.”
“The bill remains a stinker and needs to be pulled.”
Bike riders and pedestrians will continue to have access through Victoria Park during early works for the Brisbane 2032 stadium precinct, with a temporary protected shared path set to open from June 1.
While large sections of Victoria Park public green space will progressively close as construction begins, the temporary corridor will maintain an important north-south active transport connection between the North Brisbane Bikeway and Herston.
The temporary route will run from the end of the North Brisbane Bikeway along Gilchrist Avenue towards the land bridge at Herston, providing a wide, protected space for people walking, riding and rolling through the area.
The measure is expected to remain in place while a permanent dedicated shared path is constructed, which will be part of a broader set of active transport routes as part of the infrastructure delivery.
The connection is significant for commuters, recreational riders and local residents who regularly use Victoria Park as a safer and more direct route between the inner north, Kelvin Grove, Herston and the CBD.
Maintaining riding and pedestrian access during major construction projects is essential, particularly as Brisbane prepares for rapid population growth and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Matthew Burke said: “We know cyclists have been very worried. But we’re really grateful the project team has thought of us, planned for us, designed for us, and are now implementing a reasonable solution as early works begin. We’ll have a safe temporary route through Gilchrist Ave at first, then what should be a safe route off the North Brisbane Bikeway and around the stadium in the construction phase.”
He said: “We should maintain pretty good access to and from the North Brisbane Bikeway right through the stadium development. It won’t be as convenient for those coming from Herston and the Enoggera Creek Bike Bridge, and cyclists will have to keep alert for construction traffic.”
“We’ve also asked for all heavy vehicles to use protection side guards, also known as ‘skirts’, to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe, like they do in London.”
The temporary arrangements come amid growing community concern about maintaining safe walking and cycling access during large-scale infrastructure works across Brisbane ahead of the Games.
Victoria Park’s bikeways have become increasingly important transport corridors in recent years. They provide connections to schools, hospitals, universities and the city centre, as well as being key training and recreational bicycle routes.
The long-term plan for the precinct is said to include expanded active transport infrastructure designed to improve connectivity across the inner north, with dedicated cycling and pedestrian facilities expected to form part of the final network. Delivering permanent, high-quality active transport infrastructure as part of the Games legacy is vitally important for Brisbane and the Games.
Further details about construction staging and future active transport infrastructure are expected as planning for the Victoria Park stadium precinct progresses.
BQ's E-bike rally at Brisbane Botanic Gardens 21-04-2026 to save safe legal e-bikes. Photo by Element Photo and Video Productions.
From Dr. Matthew Burke
Over 3,200 submissions were received by the Parliamentary Committee reviewing Queensland’s proposed new e-mobility laws. This is one of the biggest out-pourings of concern about a piece of legislation the Parliament has seen in the last decade. The local bicycle user groups (BUGs), especially the Brisbane and Toowoomba BUGs, Space for Cycling and the Story Bridge Active Travel Alliance, have all worked tirelessly. Thank you everyone! Well done!
Analysis of the submissions conducted by the bike advocacy community reveals only 4% or less of the thousands of submissions released thus far are likely form-letter responses. That’s incredibly low for submissions to an inquiry like this. What this shows is that Queenslanders from all walks of life are clearly unimpressed with the proposed laws and have taken the time to write genuine submissions.
More than 90% of the submissions support Bicycle Queensland’s positions. Queenslanders don’t want car licences for safe, legal e-bikes. They don’t want 10km/h speeds. They don’t want shared paths and rail trails treated like footpaths. They don’t want low age limits. They want all the safe, legal e-bikes they’ve purchased to stay compliant.
Andrew Demack, BQ’s Director of Advocacy, and I appeared as witnesses to the committee in late April, along with a who’s who of affected stakeholders. The Bicycle Industries Australia, the Brisbane West Bicycle Users Group, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Association, Lime, Neuron, Uber-Eats, Doordash, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, the big local governments, the disability sector, the Public Advocate, and even a coalition of 15 Queensland transport professors. The message received by the Committee was loud and clear throughout: this bill has been badly drafted; there are issues that are not yet resolved; and, as BQ has made abundantly clear, the key problem of the illegal devices won’t be fixed. The bill still allows the same shops selling the same illegal bikes and scooters to remain in business and keep selling their same illegal products under the ‘private property use only’ loophole. This is the same way every illegal device currently on the streets has already been sold in Queensland.
At this late stage we hope the bill is at least delayed, if not pulled entirely, for a rethink. BQ has long had ‘off-ramps’ available to the government to help solve this mess.
We know proof-of-age would give the Queensland Police Service all they need to clamp down on illegal device riders – who the cops need to ID – without the overkill of requiring cyclists to have a driver’s licence. Changing this in the bill would solve all the discriminatory issues compulsory licence-holding creates for the disabled, seniors, international students and others. This would keep our shared e-mobility schemes (Lime, Neuron) alive in Queensland and allow international tourists to use them during the Olympics. It would keep Uber-Eats drivers in a job and ensure Dominos can still get a pizza to your door.
We know that if the Department can do a good job defining a footpath in the legislation, they can then achieve what the Parliamentary Committee wanted in placing a speed restriction on footpaths, but leave alone all the shared paths, rail trails and shared multi-use trails that cyclists use. That would stop forcing local governments to spend hundreds-of-millions of dollars across the state assessing, then signing, every shared path or trail they want to assign a non-default speed to. We also know that cyclists are much more stable, upright, and able to manage road risk at 15km/h or 20km/h than at 10km/h, if the government remains determined to put a speed limit just on footpaths.
We know the Bicycle Industries Australia proposal for e-bike compliance/assurance to be provided by retailers, and labelled on a sticker on the frame, would provide a pathway to compliance for those of us without a permanent standards mark on our safe, legal e-bikes. This would also help the police with enforcement. The bike industry has already thought through how this can work.
We are calling on the Transport Minister to intervene and #savelegalebikes. There were signs the Committee members have realised the unintended consequences of the proposed laws, and are considering the possible ways out.
