Queensland eBike Laws 2026 — Every Rule Now In Force
Queensland has rolled out the most significant eBike regulation changes of any Australian state, in two stages — conduct and speed rules from 1 July 2026, then licensing and age rules from 31 August 2026. Both stages are now in force. If you ride an eBike in Queensland — or supervise a child who does — here is exactly what applies, who is affected, and what the fines are.
Since 1 July 2026, exceeding the 12 km/h footpath speed cap is an offence with fines up to $1,986, and police can breath-test riders and seize non-compliant bikes. Since 31 August 2026, riding without at least a learner licence (16+) or riding under 16 on public roads and paths is an offence too — unless an exemption applies (see below).
The five key changes
1. Learner licence required — riders 16 and over (in force since 31 August 2026)
Since 31 August 2026, any rider aged 16 or older must hold at least a learner licence (Queensland, interstate, or overseas equivalent) to ride a legal EPAC on a public road or shared path. The fine for riding unlicensed is $518. The licence costs $77.55 for 3 years. Queensland is the first state in Australia to require a licence — no other state mandates one for eBike riders. Note that Queensland is not first on age: Western Australia has required riders to be 16 or older since 2021.
2. Under-16s off public roads and paths (in force since 31 August 2026)
Since 31 August 2026, children under 16 cannot ride an eBike on public roads or paths unless an exemption applies. The three exemption categories are now confirmed: riders aged 12–17 (including 16–17-year-olds without a learner licence) may ride under the supervision of a parent or caregiver who is close enough to give the rider instructions; riders 16+ who cannot hold a licence due to a disability or medical condition can obtain a medical exemption form signed by a registered health practitioner (a 3-month grace period to 30 November 2026 applies while forms are obtained); and age and licence rules do not apply in designated recreational areas such as rail trails, mountain bike trails and private off-road cycling facilities. Outside those, the rule covers all public roads, bike lanes, shared paths and footpaths — riding to school unaccompanied, for example, is no longer permitted.
3. 12 km/h footpath speed cap — fines up to $1,986 (in force since 1 July 2026)
eBike riders on footpaths in Queensland must not exceed 12 km/h — the same limit applies when passing pedestrians on shared paths. This is much slower than the 25 km/h motor cut-out speed. Fines for exceeding this cap range from $345 to $1,986 depending on speed, and the rule has been in force since 1 July 2026.
4. Breath testing for eBike riders (in force since 1 July 2026)
Queensland police now have the power to conduct breath tests on eBike riders. Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs on an eBike is an offence under the new rules. This aligns eBike riders more closely with motor vehicle operators for enforcement purposes.
5. Police can seize and destroy non-compliant bikes (in force since 1 July 2026)
Queensland police have new powers to seize eBikes that do not comply with legal standards — including bikes with modified motors exceeding 250 W, throttle-only bikes operating above 6 km/h, or bikes that have had speed limiters removed. Seized bikes can be destroyed.
Fine schedule
| Offence | Fine range |
|---|---|
| Exceeding 12 km/h on a footpath (since 1 Jul 2026) | $345 – $1,986 |
| Riding without a learner licence, 16+ (since 31 Aug 2026) | $518 |
| Parent or guardian, where a child under 16 rides illegally (illegal device, underage, or unlicensed) | $518 |
| Under-16 riding on public road or path (since 31 Aug 2026) | $518 |
| Riding without a helmet | $518 |
| Using a mobile phone while riding | $1,295 |
| Riding under the influence (breath test fail) | As per road traffic law |
A learner licence won't teach any of this
The Queensland learner licence is a road-rules knowledge test. It does not cover the 12 km/h footpath cap, what makes a bike seizable, or how to ride an eBike safely around traffic and pedestrians — which is where the $345–$1,986 fines actually come from. And for riders under 16, there is no licence available at all. That gap is what the eBikeSafe course fills.
What hasn't changed in Queensland
The new rules are additions and restrictions on top of the existing national EPAC standard. The following rules remain unchanged in Queensland:
- 250 W maximum motor power — same as the national standard
- 25 km/h motor cut-out — the motor must stop assisting at 25 km/h
- Helmet mandatory for all riders — AS/NZS 2063 or equivalent, no change
- Walk-assist only above 6 km/h — throttle-only above 6 km/h remains illegal
- No eBike registration required — only the rider needs a licence, not the bike
- EN 15194 compliance — bikes must still meet the international EPAC standard
- Bell required — audible warning device mandatory
- Lights at night — white front and red rear light required
Who is most affected
🚴 Recreational riders aged 16–17
The biggest impact group. Many teenagers riding eBikes recreationally or to school do not hold a learner licence — since 31 August 2026 that means riding illegally, with a $518 fine. Getting a learner licence is the fix — it costs $77.55 and takes a knowledge test. Until then, a 16–17-year-old without a licence can still ride under the supervision of a parent or caregiver.
👨👩👧 Parents of young eBike riders
If your child is under 16 and rides an eBike to school or around the neighbourhood, that is now illegal unless an exemption applies — the supervised-riding exemption requires a parent or caregiver close enough to give instructions. Critically, the fine lands on you: Queensland states that parents can be fined $518 where a child under 16 rides illegally — whether that is an illegal device, riding underage, or riding unlicensed — and police can fine both the parent and the child. Reassess their riding arrangements now if you have not already.
📦 Delivery riders
Food delivery workers using eBikes in Queensland now need at least a learner licence if aged 16+. The footpath speed cap also affects delivery operations — 12 km/h on a footpath is a significant restriction in dense urban areas. Platform operators (Uber Eats, DoorDash) should ensure their riders are across these requirements.
🛵 Hire and share eBike users
Using a hire or docked share eBike in Brisbane or other Queensland cities? Riders 16 or older now need at least a learner licence. Share-scheme operators (such as Lime and Neuron) must verify riders’ age and licence status — via written declaration, licence sighting at hire, or in-app confirmation — with a compliance deadline of March 2027. But the legal obligation sits with the rider.
Why Queensland is introducing these rules
The Queensland government cited a sharp rise in eBike-related incidents — particularly involving younger riders on footpaths — as the driver for the new legislation. eBike sales in Australia have grown significantly since 2020, and the rules that governed pushbikes were not designed for a vehicle that can reach 25 km/h with minimal rider effort.
The licence requirement is specifically aimed at ensuring riders have at least a baseline understanding of road rules before riding in traffic. No other Australian state currently requires this, though New South Wales is proposing a minimum age between 12 and 16 — no age and no date has been announced.
Frequently asked questions
I already have a full car licence. Do I still need to do anything? +
No. If you hold a full Australian driver's licence (car, motorcycle, or any other category), this satisfies the Queensland requirement. The rule is that you must hold at least a learner licence — a full licence clearly meets that bar.
My child is 14 and rides to school. What do I do? +
Since 31 August 2026, a child under 16 cannot ride an eBike on a public road or path unless an exemption applies. Riders aged 12–17 can ride under the supervision of a parent or caregiver who is close enough to give the rider instructions, and riding is still allowed in designated recreational areas such as rail trails, mountain bike trails and private off-road cycling facilities. There is no exception for commuting to school unaccompanied — so if your 14-year-old was riding to school alone, that now has to stop unless you can supervise the ride.
Can I be fined for what my child does on an eBike? +
Yes. Queensland states that parents can be fined $518 where a child under 16 rides illegally — that covers riding an illegal device, riding underage, or riding unlicensed. Police can issue fines to both the parent or guardian and the child.
Does the 12 km/h cap apply on bike lanes, or only footpaths? +
The 12 km/h cap applies on footpaths at all times, and also when passing pedestrians on shared paths. Dedicated bike lanes are not subject to the cap. On a shared path you should still ride at a safe speed and give way to pedestrians.
I'm visiting Queensland from interstate. Do these rules apply to me? +
Yes. Queensland's road rules apply to all riders on Queensland roads and paths regardless of where they live. The 12 km/h footpath cap applies, and riders 16 or older need a valid learner licence or higher — from any Australian state or territory, or an overseas equivalent.
What makes an eBike illegal under the new rules? +
A bike is non-compliant if it exceeds 250 W motor power, has had the speed limiter removed so it assists above 25 km/h, or operates throttle-only above 6 km/h. Police can now seize and destroy these bikes. The rider offences (no licence, unsupervised under-16) are separate from the bike compliance issue.
Do I need a licence to ride an eBike in Queensland? +
Yes. Since 31 August 2026, riders aged 16 or older must hold at least a learner licence (Queensland, interstate, or overseas equivalent) to ride a legal EPAC on public roads or paths. The licence costs $77.55 for 3 years. Riders under 16 cannot ride on public roads or paths unless an exemption applies.
How can my teen get properly qualified to ride an eBike in Queensland? +
The learner licence is a road-rules knowledge test — it does not cover the 12 km/h footpath cap, what makes a bike seizable, or how to actually ride safely around traffic and pedestrians, which is where the $345–$1,986 fines come from. <a href="/gift#buy" style="color:var(--primary);">eBikeSafe</a> is a ten-module online course that covers exactly that gap, with must-pass quizzes and a QR-verified Rider Qualification at the end. It complements the mandatory learner licence rather than replacing it, and costs $49.
The licence is the law. The rules are what keep the fine away.
Getting the learner licence is step one, and only riders 16 and over can do it. eBikeSafe is step two: the 12 km/h footpath rule, what makes a bike seizable, helmet and compliance standards, and how to ride safely in traffic — for Queensland and every other state. Ten modules, must-pass quizzes, and a QR-verified Rider Qualification at the end.
No account needed to buy — the voucher code is emailed to you instantly.
eBikeSafe is a rider education course. It is not a government-accredited qualification and does not replace Queensland's learner licence requirement.
For a full comparison of eBike laws across all eight Australian states and territories, see the Australian eBike laws comparison table.
Rules current as at 8 August 2026, checked against Queensland government sources. This page is general information, not legal advice — for the authoritative position, always check the QLD transport authority directly.