Key Takeaways
- The parliamentary inquiry recommends softening the blanket 10 km/h footpath speed limit for e‑bikes and e‑scooters, applying it only in high‑pedestrian zones and near pedestrians on shared paths.
- A learner’s licence (or equivalent) will be required for all riders, and users under 16 will be banned from operating e‑mobility devices.
- People unable to hold a driver’s licence due to disability, medical condition or age may still ride if they can demonstrate safe operation.
- Protesters argue the original 10 km/h limit would dramatically increase commute times and make riding unstable.
- The committee proposes a certification and labelling scheme for existing compliant e‑bikes and an exemption for low‑powered e‑trikes and similar devices.
- The revised legislation is expected to take effect from 1 July, with a six‑month transition period and a mandatory review after 12 months.
Background and Inquiry Process
The Queensland state development, infrastructure and works committee was tasked with reviewing sweeping reforms to e‑mobility use after receiving more than 3,000 public submissions. This followed an earlier inquiry into e‑mobility safety that produced 28 recommendations for Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg in March. The committee’s latest report responds to widespread concern about the proposed blanket 10 km/h speed limit on footpaths, which many riders argued would be impractical and unsafe. By revisiting the evidence, the committee aimed to balance safety objectives with the practical needs of commuters and recreational users.
Revised Speed Limit Recommendations
Instead of a uniform 10 km/h cap on all footpaths, the committee recommends that the limit apply only in high pedestrian zones, with a clear definition of where this rule is enforced. On other footpaths, a 10 km/h limit would be required only when a rider is within 10 metres of a pedestrian. For shared paths, the 10 km/h limit would not apply unless signage indicates otherwise; however, the committee suggests considering a 15 km/h limit within 10 metres of a pedestrian on those routes. These adjustments aim to reduce conflict between fast‑moving e‑devices and walkers while preserving reasonable travel speeds for cyclists.
Protests and Public Reaction
More than 100 e‑bike riders and regular cyclists gathered on Brisbane’s Story Bridge to oppose the original 10 km/h footpath limit, chanting that it would turn a typical 10‑minute commute into a 40‑minute ordeal. Organiser Kathryn Good labelled the proposal “impractical and silly,” warning that the fight would continue beyond the committee report because the legislation must still pass parliament. Opposition Leader Steven Miles criticised the government for ignoring community feedback, arguing that the LNP members of the committee had acknowledged the instability and danger of forcing riders below 10 km/h yet had proceeded with the draft law anyway.
Licence Requirement and Age Restrictions
Despite extensive debate, the committee upheld its recommendation that all riders hold at least a learner’s licence (or equivalent) before operating an e‑bike or e‑scooter. The rationale cites medical evidence showing that individuals under 16 lack the cognitive and motor skills necessary to safely navigate dynamic traffic environments. Consequently, the committee also endorsed a ban on e‑mobility device use for anyone under the age of 16, aligning the rules with those for motor vehicles and boats that pose similar risks.
Disability Exemption and Medical Perspective
Recognising that a blanket licence requirement could unfairly exclude certain riders, the committee recommended an amendment allowing people who cannot obtain a driver’s licence because of a disability, medical condition or age to ride, provided they can demonstrate safe operation. Immediate past president of the Australian Medical Association Queensland, Dr Maria Boulton, supported the age‑based restriction, noting that over 6,300 emergency‑department injuries linked to e‑devices were recorded last year, including severe injuries and fatalities among children. The exemption seeks to protect public safety while avoiding discriminatory barriers for those who can ride responsibly.
Industry and Advocacy Responses
Joshua Cooney, general manager of advocacy at RACQ, welcomed the committee’s revisions as a return to common sense, stating that the proposed balance was an improvement over the bill currently before parliament. He highlighted concerns that a strict 10 km/h limit on shared paths would push riders onto busy roads, creating adverse safety outcomes. Bicycle Queensland warned that the original standards would have rendered more than 90 percent of the approximately 230,000 e‑bikes sold in Queensland since 2017 non‑compliant, prompting the committee to propose a low‑cost certification and labelling scheme for existing compliant machines and an exemption for low‑powered e‑trikes (limited to 25 km/h and 250 watts) from full certification.
Compliance of Existing E‑bikes and Certification Scheme
To avoid rendering a vast majority of currently legal e‑bikes illegal, the committee recommended establishing a scheme whereby owners could certify and label their devices at minimal cost if they met the standards at the time of manufacture. This approach would preserve the market for existing e‑bikes while ensuring that any new models adhere to updated safety requirements. The exemption for e‑trikes and similar low‑powered devices recognises that their speed and power profiles already limit risk, reducing the regulatory burden on niche but growing segments of the e‑mobility market.
Implementation Timeline, Review and Government Response
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg indicated that the revised laws would take effect from 1 July, contingent on parliamentary approval, with a six‑month transition period to allow riders, retailers and enforcement agencies to adapt. The committee also advised that the government review the legislation after 12 months to assess its impact on safety, compliance and user behaviour. In a statement, Mickelberg said the state government would consider the recommendations, which aim to “enhance delivery of our nation‑leading reforms.” Parliament is set to reconvene next week, where the debated legislation will likely undergo further scrutiny before any final vote.