New age and licensing requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters, and other personal mobility devices, will come into effect across Queensland from 31 August 2026. 

Here is some information about how it will affect residents in the Bancroft community.

Who can ride from 31 August 2026?

• Riders must be 16 with a licence (minimum Learner licence) from 31 August.
• Exemptions will apply for:
  • 12–17-year-olds to ride under supervision of a parent or caregiver (the supervisor must be close enough to give the rider instructions). This includes 16-17-year-olds without their learner licence.
  • some medical conditions and disabilities – e-mobility driver licence exemption form needed for this
  • riders in designated and controlled public access areas such as rail trails, mountain bike trails and certain private cycling facilities.
• Parents will be fined for under 16s riding illegally.

For medical exemptions, riders have a grace period until 30 November 2026 to organise an exemption form completed by an eligible healthcare practitioner, such as a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or pharmacist.

Further device requirements apply from 28 February 2027

• E-scooters must be speed-limited to 25km/h.
• E-bikes must comply with new labelling and safety requirements.

It is important to note that high-powered, high-speed devices exceeding the legal requirements (250 watts maximum continuous rated power and 25 km/h of assisted speed) continue to be illegal in Queensland and can now be seized by police.

New laws effective from 1 July 2026

Speed limits where you can ride

• 12km/h speed limits on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths. 
• E-scooters allowed on roads with a speed limit of up to 60km/h. Riders can only travel at a maximum of 25km/h.
• Drivers must continue to leave at least 1 metre when passing riders on the roads.

Penalties and enforcement

• Police can seize and potentially destroy illegal devices.
• Parents will be fined for their children under 16 riding illegally.
• Increases to fines, with most offences such as not wearing a helmet, doubling and careless riding, now more than $500.
• 0.05 BAC and RBTs to test for drink riding.

Learn more
For full details on all the rules for e-bikes and e-scooters and other personal mobility devices, visit StreetSmarts Qld.