Bicycle Queensland interim CEO Liana Heath and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack attended the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) first-ever Active Transport Forum on Friday 15 August.
This is a great initiative by LGAQ because it gives an opportunity for larger Councils with more resources and more staff to share their innovations and resources with smaller Councils. This inaugural forum had presentations from TMR experts on safe bicycle infrastructure design, and from Councils on projects including safe street environments around schools and connecting sections of bikeway. Bicycle Queensland’s presentation looked at the feedback we received from holding forums for bike riders across every major centre in the state.
Bicycle Queensland extends our sympathies to the family and community of the woman tragically killed over the weekend in Edgewater, Perth. She died after being struck by a high-powered, unregistered electric motorbike, which Police say was being ridden recklessly by a 17-year-old who has since been charged with manslaughter.
This devastating incident is a stark reminder that the widespread availability and misuse of illegal e-mobility devices pose serious risks not only to those who ride them, but to every user of shared paths, roads and other public spaces.
While the incident occurred in Western Australia, the same types of devices are easily purchased in-store and online in Queensland, despite being illegal to use on public roads and paths.
“The e-motorcycle device actually does have a place legally – on purpose-built motocross tracks such as QLD Moto Park near Boonah,” said Andrew Demack, Director of Advocacy at Bicycle Queensland. “But using these devices on paths and roads in our suburbs and cities is just as dangerous and illegal as young people hooning on petrol-powered motorbikes – except maybe more dangerous because they are much quieter.”
These devices – often incorrectly marketed as e-bikes – can travel up to 60 km/h and beyond purely under throttle assistance from the motors that can have 5000W of power or more. The e-motorbikes are not even equipped with pedals, and far exceed Australia’s legal limit of 250W continuous power and 25 km/h of pedal-assisted speed. That makes them, by law, unregistrable electric motorbikes – yet they are still widely available online and in some retail stores.
Many are purchased by teenagers and less experienced riders, with little awareness of the legal or safety risks. Public frustration is rising, with increasing reports of these high-powered devices being used recklessly on bikeways, footpaths, and walking trails and mountain bike trails across Queensland – and Australia.
Enforce existing laws around illegal e-bikes and PMDs with immediate effect
Ban the sale of non-compliant devices that exceed speed and power limits
Support public education to help people understand what’s legal and safe
Empower police and transport officers to test and remove illegal vehicles
Encourage speed-governing measures on existing devices where possible
Queensland has an opportunity right now to address this issue to prevent future harm. The current mix of unclear rules, unregulated sales, and growing use of high-powered devices is a recipe for exactly the kind of fatal incident we saw in Perth. Not if, but when.
The past few months have been a hive of activity in the BQ office. The big news earlier this year was that the Queensland Government were holding a Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility. BQ has made their submission, and will be presenting to the inquiry on July 21.
We’ve also wrapped up our Y2W (Yarraman to Wulkuraka) 3-day rail trail event. This was held on the popular Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, and it presented a great opportunity to speak to members and riders about important advocacy work in their areas. That included speaking to riers who have been volunteering their time for the Story Bridge Bike Bus, as we await further information from Brisbane City Council as to when and how the bridge will serve as an essential transport link for all users.
All that and more, via this update from Andrew.
If you want to know more about what BQ is up to and where, please contact us on BQinfo@BQ.org.au – or call the office on 07 3844 1144 between 8:30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Bicycle Queensland (BQ) has made a strong case to the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility, urging the State Government to embrace the opportunities of e-mobility while putting in place the essential infrastructure, regulation and education to ensure safety and equity for all road users.
Describing the e-mobility revolution as a positive and permanent shift, BQ emphasised the potential for e-bikes and e-scooters to deliver cleaner, healthier, and more accessible transport options — if managed with clear policy, proper planning and strong enforcement.
BQ’s submission calls on the Government to take decisive action in three priority areas:
Build long-promised infrastructure such as separated bike lanes and safe paths to keep riders away from vehicles and pedestrians.
Enforce existing laws which are allowing throttle e-bikes to be sold, despite them being illegal to use in Queensland.
Coordinate nationally to avoid a fragmented patchwork of rules across state borders.
“We encourage the Government to facilitate the growing interest in e-mobility through a properly funded active transport network” said BQ Interim CEO Liana Heath. “To improve safety concerns for riders and the public, we need to ensure current laws and rules are enforced, rather than introducing further complexity and obstacles to safe riding,” said Heath.
The BQ submission sets out four recommendations exactly how that can be done. BQ welcomes the inquiry and looks forward to contributing to more safe, active transport for everyone.
1. Fund and prioritise active transport
Reinstate mode share targets in transport planning
Lift active transport funding from under 1% to 10% annually by 2032
Reduce local road speed limits from 50km/h to 40km/h
Complete the Principal Cycle Network Plan by 2032
Develop Ride Safely to School strategies including bike lanes and bike tracks to new schools
Enforce a zero-tolerance approach to aggressive behaviour towards riders and e-scooter users
2. Ensure only safe, compliant devices are imported and sold
Enforce Australian safety standards
Restrict import and sale of non-compliant e-bikes and scooters
Govern or remove speed/throttle functions on illegal devices already sold
3. Launch a statewide public education campaign
Educate the public on what devices are legal and where they can be used
Promote rider training and safety awareness
4. Collaborate nationally on battery and safety standards
Implement national battery safety and charging standards
Coordinate legislation across states for clarity and consistency nationally
BQ welcomes the Parliamentary Inquiry and looks forward to working with the State to ensure safe and active transport for all Queenslanders.
From 19 May, 2025, Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Anderw Demack toured through Far North Queensland. They visited BQ members and local councils in Cairns, Atherton, Innisfail and Townsville.
These visits offer a chance to discuss local issues with members and other riders, and to work with local councils to achieve positive outcomes. More details are in the video.
Bicycle Queensland and our national advocacy partners will continue to press the incoming Federal Government to invest in active transport infrastructure.
In the lead-up to the Saturday’s Federal Election, Bicycle Queensland wrote to all candidates asking for their commitment to support active transport — walking and cycling — at a national level. Our requests included allocating $250 million per year to active transport infrastructure, restricting the importation of non-compliant high-powered e-bikes, removing the 5% tariff on compliant electric bikes, and working with State and local governments to deliver safe school cycling infrastructure.
Neither Labor or the LNP, the parties most likely to form a majority government, have policies that commit to implementing our plans for active transport infrastructure. We did not receive a negative response, more a commitment to investigate further once a Government is formed.
Andrew Demack, BQ’s Director of Advocacy said “ this at least is promising. The federal government has left funding for active transport to the states for far too long . Now is the time for them to act.”
Independents and minor parties across the political spectrum did offer support. The Australian Greens noted that funding cycling infrastructure would be part of their pledge of a $40 billion Sustainable Cities Fund. Personal responses received from candidates for various minor parties including Trumpet of Patriots and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation expressed support for better cycling infrastructure.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine said “It seems that almost all parties see the need for better active transport, but actually making the required funding available for cycling is where the rubber hits the road (or better still, separated cycleway)”.
Regardless of the election outcome, Bicycle Queensland is committed to working with elected representatives to ensure that cycling, micromobility and walking are safe, accessible, and a vital part of Australia’s transport future.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine and Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack check in for an update this April. With a federal election coming up, Alton covers what Bicycle Queensland and We Ride are asking for: federal funding for active transport (walking and riding). They also discuss high powered e-bikes, tariffs and more.
In a dynamic discussion held recently with Roxanne De Beaux, CEO of Camcycle, along with several active transport advocacy groups, Bicycle Queensland joined voices across hemispheres to reflect on the progress and persistent challenges of building safer, more inclusive streets for everyone.
The conversation began with a bold comparison: Sydney — once dubbed “the city that hates bikes” — is transforming its reputation. The opening of a new cycleway in Ultimo on the very day of the discussion marked another step forward, with attendees applauding Fiona Campbell’s leadership as Manager of Cycling Strategy for City of Sydney.
Cambridge’s experience offers powerful lessons in how storytelling can shape public perception. Rather than speaking only to ‘cyclists,’ Camcycle tells stories that resonate more broadly — with parents, workers, students, and communities. This shift from reactive to proactive advocacy has helped them set a compelling vision, making tough but strategic decisions like scaling back the Reach Ride program in order to better allocate resources. Their growing network of influence — including allies in industry and government — is a testament to the power of alignment and clear priorities.
The discussion also touched on the shared growing pains of expanding cities. From Waterbeach in Cambridge to Bradfield in Sydney, and even Brisbane’s own suburban sprawl, the message was clear: advocacy must begin early in the planning process to ensure walking and cycling infrastructure is not an afterthought. With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics on the horizon, many noted this as an “all or nothing” opportunity to embed legacy-defining infrastructure for generations to come.
Another powerful thread was the importance of including the “unusual suspects” — voices often left out of traditional active transport narratives. Culturally and linguistically diverse women in western Sydney were highlighted as powerful advocates for safer walking and cycling, bringing fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of the ‘why’ behind active transport.
As the conversation wrapped up, there was a shared moment of reflection. Advocacy can be tough. It takes stamina, resilience, and compassion. But it also comes with the deep reward of seeing streets transformed and lives changed.
“These conversations show us we’re not alone — our challenges are shared, but so are the solutions,” said Bicycle Queensland’s CEO Alton Twine after the discussion. “What we’ve seen in Cambridge and Sydney proves that change is not only possible, it’s already happening. It’s a reminder to keep pushing forward, because the streets we imagine are within reach.”
For Brisbane and Queensland’s regional centres, the message is clear: the road ahead may have bumps, but it’s one worth riding.
