E-bike crackdown in fast lane under nation-leading laws
The national push for electric bikes has accelerated as many states put the brakes on illegal, high-powered mobility devices due to safety concerns.
Queensland has become the latest government to crack down on e-scooters and e-bikes, banning children under 16 from using the devices under leading legislation across the country.
Under the reforms to be introduced in parliament this week, drivers over the age of 16 must be medically fit to drive and have at least a driver’s licence.
Queensland Police will be given greater powers to randomly breath test drivers and seize and destroy illegally used devices.
Parents who allow underage children to ride will be held accountable, while retailers and partner program operators will face fines if they facilitate illegal use.
A 10 km/h speed limit will also be applied on shared sidewalks to better protect pedestrians.
A six-month transition period will allow some devices to be brought into compliance, but most are already illegal.
“There will be harsh but fair penalties for drivers of all ages,” Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said on Tuesday.
“This is about protecting community safety; we want to facilitate the legal and safe use of e-mobility devices, while also cracking down on unsafe and illegal use.”
There have been more than 6000 hospitalizations linked to e‑mobility devices between 2022 and 2025 in Queensland alone.
Queensland is the latest country to crack down on e-bikes after Western Australia and Tasmania restricted under-16s from using the devices, with NSW now imposing an age limit.
Police and transport officers will be given new powers to seize illegal e-bikes under legislation introduced to the NSW Parliament on Tuesday.
The government says that if an e-bike performs like a conventional motorcycle in terms of power or speed, then it can be destroyed under laws that are identical to those in Western Australia.
“We don’t want to discourage safe and healthy e-bike use, but we do want to discourage dangerous and illegal e-bike use,” said NSW Transport Minister John Graham.
“This legislation gives police and transport officers the powers they need to effectively and permanently remove these devices from our streets.”
NSW will be the first state to introduce roadside “dyno units” that measure whether an e-bike can go faster than the 25km/h speed limit.
Mr Graham said the new crush powers would apply to any device that breached the standards, even if purchased by mistake.
The legal crackdown is in line with a more severe police response to dangerous e-bike use on the state’s roads.
170 people were fined over two days in Sydney last week as NSW Police carried out a compliance operation against schools, employment centers and beaches.
The state highway patrol commander said five drivers tested positive for drugs and 21 traffic tickets were issued during the operation.
“While e-bikes are a great means of transport when ridden safely, police have seen an increase in illegal or anti-social e-bike rider behaviour,” Inspector Anthony Boyd said.
E-bikes have caused the deaths of a dozen people in 2025, including several children.
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