Tag: Bicycle queensland

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Queensland’s New E-Mobility Laws Explained 

Queensland’s new e-mobility laws come into effect from 1 July 2026, introducing significant changes for riders of e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices. 

While the Queensland Government says the reforms are aimed at improving safety and reducing serious injuries and fatalities, many riders will be wondering exactly what the changes mean for them in practice. 

Over recent months, Bicycle Queensland has worked extensively to ensure the voices of everyday riders were heard. While some of the more restrictive proposals were amended during the consultation process, several elements of the legislation remain overly complex and, in some cases, unclear. 

BQ’s campaign to defend safe, legal e-bikes
What changes from 1 July? 

Queensland Police will gain new powers to seize and destroy illegal devices, meaning those that don’t meet the requirements of the EN 15194 standard, or how they can be used. A range of new offences and penalties will apply to riders of e-bikes, bicycles, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices, along with restrictions on use. 

Drink riding laws will also be expanded. Riders, on any kind of e-bike or e-mobility device, in public places, can now be subject to Random Breath Testing. You must stay within the same 0.05% blood alcohol limit that applies to motor vehicle drivers. 

Speed limits will also change. E-scooters and other personal mobility devices must be restricted so they cannot exceed 25km/h, while e-bike motors may only provide assistance up to 25km/h as per the EN 15194 standard. Riders can still travel faster than 25km/h on an e-bike, but only under their own pedal power – and not everywhere. 

A new 12km/h speed limit will apply when riding on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths. Of course, you’ll need to know whether you are on a footpath or shared path at the time, which is not always clear. 

For e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles, access to roads with speed limits of up to 60km/h will be permitted, including on-road bicycle lanes, although riders remain limited to a maximum operating speed of 25km/h as per e-mobility speed limits. E-bikes are still able to be ridden on any road unless bikes are prohibited, such as on freeways. 

Penalties have also increased substantially, with fines of $518 applying for offences including failing to wear a helmet, carrying a passenger, or riding on a prohibited road. 

Licencing and age requirements 

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of licencing requirements for riders of e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices. 

From 31 August 2026, riders must be at least 16 years old and hold a provisional driver’s licence. 

However, the legislation includes a range of exemptions, including provisions for people with certain medical conditions or disabilities, as well as supervised riding arrangements for young people aged 12 to 17 years. There is also an exemption being developed for riding in designated areas like certain national parks and on rail trails.  

The details of these exemptions are still being clarified and those exemptions may well come into being after 1 July 2026.  

Questions still remain 

While the legislation is now law, a number of practical questions remain unanswered. 

What counts as a footpath? 

The new 12km/h speed limit applies on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths. However, many popular cycling routes across Queensland are known by names that may not align to their classification. 

For example, the Jim Soorley Bikeway is actually a shared path. Many rail trails and recreational paths carry classifications and naming conventions that may not align. Councils have built extra-wide footpaths that are clearly for sharing along designated bikeway routes, but they may not have shared path signage. This can make it confusing for riders, and of course those in charge of enforcement. 

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Bicycle Queensland

BQ is seeking further clarification on how riders can confidently identify what rules apply in which locations. 

Is your e-bike compliant? 

The legislation introduces mandatory compliance labelling for e-bikes by 28 February 2027. 

However, many riders already own perfectly legal e-bikes that meet the accepted Australian and European specifications: 

  • Pedal assistance only 
  • Motor assistance limited to 25km/h 
  • Maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts 

Many of these bikes do not currently display EN 15194 compliance markings, as the standard was removed from import requirements in 2021 by the Morrison Government. While it has been reintroduced nationally, there are not yet compulsory reporting arrangements to back this up, and so illegal devices are still entering the country.  

The Government has consulted Bicycle Queensland and other stakeholders about processes for the promised pathway to compliance for bikes that meet the functional requirements of EN 15194. We support an assurance sticker approach working through retailers as the least-worst of the options available to Government.  

The key question is who will bear the cost of this program: the government, retailers or riders themselves. This is not yet resolved. Bicycle Queensland believes the government should wear the cost.  

How will medical exemptions work? 

The legislation provides exemptions for people who cannot obtain a driver’s licence because of medical conditions or disabilities. Once again, the Government has put out some options to stakeholders about how this might work, but details are unresolved and not yet public. 

These details will be particularly important for riders who rely on e-bikes and other e-mobility devices as a practical transport option. 

Which locations are exempt? 

Good question. The legislation allows for a list of locations where age and licencing requirements may not apply. This is expected to cover many mountain bike parks, rail trails and recreational riding locations throughout Queensland. 

However, the locations must be specifically included within the approved list, creating uncertainty until the final details are published. Bicycle Queensland would prefer that all national parks and conservation parks be exempted. We await the Qld Government’s list. 

How can this be enforced? 

This remains the largest question. 

Bicycle Queensland has been one of the strongest voices calling for more resources for the Queensland Police Service to enforce the rules on the illegal devices masquerading as e-bikes. The e-mobility laws do not include any additional resourcing for the police to do this task.  

Queensland Police will now be responsible for enforcing a framework that includes device classifications, speed restrictions, licencing requirements, age requirements, compliance standards and location-specific exemptions. 

How officers will determine whether a device is compliant, whether a rider qualifies for an exemption, or whether a path is classified as a footpath or shared path remains unclear. The new laws may be used alongside existing laws that already cover the use of unregistered motor vehicles (overpowered e-motorbikes that don’t meet EN 15194). It is going to take time for law enforcement to work out what they can and can’t do with their new powers.  

We expect that, without additional resourcing, rider behaviour will be monitored and enforced infrequently, and very rarely outside known trouble-spots.  

BQ will be closely monitoring how the legislation is implemented in practice. 

What are the practical safety outcomes? 

Bicycle Queensland supports efforts to improve safety and reduce serious injuries. However, concerns remain about whether the new laws address the primary source of risk. 

The majority of serious incidents and fatalities involving e-mobility devices have involved non-compliant, high-powered devices that do not meet Queensland’s legal definition of an e-bike or personal mobility device. Yet even after these new laws are introduced, these products can still be imported and sold in Queensland shops under existing “private property use” provisions. 

As a result, questions remain about whether the new laws will effectively target the non-compliant devices responsible for much of the dangerous and anti-social behaviour, or whether the changes will primarily impact riders already using safe, legal e-bikes responsibly. 

Bicycle Queensland’s position 

BQ will continue to work with the Queensland Government, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the Queensland Police (QPS) to seek greater clarity around the new laws and ensure riders receive practical guidance on how to comply. 

We encourage all riders to familiarise themselves with the new requirements, ride safely and stay informed as additional information becomes available. The full list of existing rules and those being introduced is online, for both e-scooters and e-bikes.

As further details are released, BQ will continue providing updates and advocating for laws that improve safety while supporting the uptake of safe, legal and sustainable transport and recreation options. 

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.
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Advocacy

CityLink Cycleway expands to Shafston Avenue

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. 
 
More details can be found on the project website. 

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Advocacy

2026 Bicycle Queensland Survey

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.

It is that time of the year where we need some input from Bicycle Queensland members, supporters, followers – and anyone who rides a bike or e-scooter in Queensland. As a membership organisation, it is essential that we are working towards the main priorities of our members, listening to their needs and feedback. Our annual survey shapes our advocacy work along with the services and offers we deliver to members – so taking part really does make a difference. Expect to spend about 10 minutes to complete the survey.

And importantly, if you are no longer a Bicycle Queensland member or have never signed up – we want to hear from you. The advocacy work that Bicycle Queensland undertakes serves all Queenslanders, so we want to ensure our efforts have the best focus. 

take part in the bq survey


As a way to say thank you, we have put together a range of prizes that we will deliver to survey respondents from a random draw. The prizes include: 

  • 1x pair of BONT Riot G shoes ($399.95)
  • 1 of 6 Pure Nutrition prize packs ($35.99ea)
  • 5x $NZD75 Ground Effect Gift Vouchers
  • 1x POC Cularis Pure helmet ($300rrp)
  • 1x Beeline Velo 2 bike GPS ($165rrp)
  • 2x tickets for the Big Bike Film Night – Queensland location of your choice ($28ea)

Click here to complete the survey

Terms and Conditions 

  1. The above prizes will be chosen via a random draw from the list of survey respondents who have left their name and contact details. 
  1. Prize winners will be contacted via email. If they do not reply within 48 hours the prize will be drawn again. 
  1. Prizes will only be sent to Australian addresses. 
  1. No prize can be exchanged or swapped for cash. 
  1. Prizes may be limited to what colour is available at the time of draw.
  1. The Bicycle Queensland survey is anonymous, however you will be asked if you would like to leave your name and email address, so you can be contacted for prize delivery. This data set is held separately from any survey responses and will be added to Bicycle Queensland’s contact list. You can unsubscribe at any time.
  1. Bicycle Queensland will provide the names and email addresses provided to our prize partners, including but not limited to: Ground Effect Cycle Clothing, Pure Sports Nutrition, Bont Cycling, Beeline, POC and Big Bike Film Night.
     
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Advocacy

Sylvan Rd separated cycleway inching ever closer

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!

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Advocacy

BQ’s Federal Budget reflections 

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. 

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Advocacy

BQ responds to latest e-mobility recommendations

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.  

read the latest recommendations


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.”   

defend safe, legal e-bikes
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Advocacy

Victora Park bike access confirmed 

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. 

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Advocacy

CEO Update: Queensland’s draft e-mobility laws

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! 

Inquiry recommendations
bq’s solution
action you can take
updates


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.

bq’s submission

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.

Minister Mickelberg can step in and save this.   

defend safe, legal e-bikes