eBikes and eScooters (Qld)

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Personal mobility devices such as eScooters and segues have become very popular in Brisbane since the introduction of eScooters in Queensland in 2018. Users of personal mobility devices are subjects to rules set out in Division 2 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management-road Rules) Regulation 2009. Users of eBikes, which are also increasingly popular, are subject to the same road rules as cyclists. This page deals with the road rules affecting eBikes, personal mobility devices and wheeled recreational devices in Queensland.

Ebikes road rules

In Queensland, Ebikes do not need to be registered and users do not require a licence. An eBike can be ridden on any Queensland road or path, except where bicycles are prohibited. eBike riders must obey the same road rules as other cyclists as well as the general road rules.

An eBike may be ridden on the roads in Queensland if:

• It has an electric motor or motors capable of generating no more than 200 watts of power and the motor is pedal-assist only;
• It is a bicycle with an electric motor that is capable of generating up to 250 watts of power but the motor cuts out when it reaches 25 km/h and the pedals have to be used to keep the motor operating (a pedalec).

An eBike must not be ridden on the roads in Queensland if:

• It has a petrol-powered or internal combustion engine;
• It has an electric motor that can generate more than 200 watt of power and is not a pedalec;
• It has an electric motor that is the primary source of power

eScooter road rules

eScooters and segues are classed as personal mobility devices in Queensland. Users of these devices must obey the general road rules, such as stopping at red lights and at stop signs.

eScooter age limits

A person must be over 16 to ride a personal mobility device, or over 12 and supervised by an adult.

eScooter helmet rules

Under regulation 244B of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management-Road Rules) Regulation, a person must wear a helmet when riding an eScooter, unless:

• They cannot wear a helmet for medical reasons;
• It would be unreasonable to require the person to wear a helmet because of a physical characteristic;
• They are a member of a religious group and are wearing a religious headdress that makes it impractical to wear a helmet.

Mobile phone use

Under regulation 300 of the Transport Operations (road Use Management-Road Rules) Regulations, a person must not use a mobile phone while driving a vehicle, including a bike, subject to certain exceptions. The penalty for doing so is a fine of up to 20 penalty units.

New rules from 2022

New road rules for personal mobility devices apply from 1 November 2022

These include:

• A speed limit of 25km/h applies on roads, including in bikes lanes;
• A speed limit of 12 km/h applies on footpaths and shared paths;
• Fines of up to $1078 apply for offences such as speeding, use on prohibited road and holding a phone while riding;

Wheeled recreational devices

Wheeled recreational devices include rollerblades, skateboards and foot scooters. In Queensland, these devices must not be used on roads with a dividing line or median strip, on roads with a speed limit of more than 50 km/h, on one-way roads with more than one marked lane or on the road at night.

A person using a wheeled recreational device on a road must stay as far to the left as possible and must not travel alongside more than one other vehicle or pedestrian unless overtaking.

A person using a wheeled recreational device on a footpath must keep to the left and give way to pedestrians.

A fine of up to 20 penalty units applies for contravening any of the above rules.  

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