Queensland new ebike laws

[Sonicfly190]

Hey guys, whats the go here in queensland (new laws in regards to ebikes) will it affect us ? Mainly driving on tracks.....I'm just a bit concerned.

 

[Danm]

Hey guys, whats the go here in queensland (new laws in regards to ebikes) will it affect us ? Mainly driving on tracks.....I'm just a bit concerned.

For others reading this - our Australian state, Queensland is introducing new legislation as a knee jerk reaction to all the muppets riding illegal e motorbikes and overpowered scooters.

So the proposed legislation for pedal assist bikes (e bikes):

• must be over 16
• Need a car learners or licence
• Must comply with EU standards, which most legit e-bikes sold in Australia are so that shouldn’t change - it’s 25km max power cut off and 250w max continuous
• Speed limit of 10km/h on shared paths

The parts that concern me are:

• Excluding all under 16s from riding legit emtbs
• The stupid speed limit - I ride 95% trails, but sometimes ride shared paths that connect networks. Also, the definition of shared path still looking into it, but I’m sure this relates to suburban pathways and not within trail networks
• Needing a licence
• If you have modified your e-bike and were caught, the new powers allow police to seize and destroy the bike.

You can make a submission against the changes until 10/04/2026:
Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026

 

[Greg Watts]

Hey guys, whats the go here in queensland (new laws in regards to ebikes) will it affect us ? Mainly driving on tracks.....I'm just a bit concerned.

@Sonicfly190 - @Danm has done a solid job summarising the key points, so I won't rehash all of that. But since you're mainly worried about trail riding on your Jam 2, here's the bit that matters most to you.

Your Focus Jam 2 is an EN15194-compliant eMTB from a major brand. While the motor's peak power exceeds 250W (as all eMTB motors do), its continuous power and assist behaviour complies with the standard. That's the critical measure under the law, not the peak wattage you see in marketing materials.

So the bike itself shouldn't be a problem, assuming it's completely stock and unmodified. The bits that will actually affect you as a trail rider:

• You'll need to be 16 or older and hold at least a Queensland Class C learner licence. If you've got a car licence, you're already sorted.

• The 10km/h speed limit applies to footpaths and shared paths, replacing the old 12km/h PMD limit. Previously there was no speed limit at all for eBikes on shared paths, so this is a new restriction.

However, dedicated trail networks (like your local MTB trails) are not shared paths in the legislative sense. This is about suburban footpaths and shared-use pedestrian/cycle paths.

• Subject to parliamentary approval, the laws are expected to take effect from 1 July, with a six-month transition period. The seize-and-destroy powers Danm mentioned are aimed at the illegal high-powered e-motorbike crowd, not blokes on stock Bosch-powered eMTBs.

 

[Sonicfly190]

@Sonicfly190 - @Danm has done a solid job summarising the key points, so I won't rehash all of that. But since you're mainly worried about trail riding on your Jam 2, here's the bit that matters most to you.

Your Focus Jam 2 is an EN15194-compliant eMTB from a major brand. While the motor's peak power exceeds 250W (as all eMTB motors do), its continuous power and assist behaviour complies with the standard. That's the critical measure under the law, not the peak wattage you see in marketing materials.

So the bike itself shouldn't be a problem, assuming it's completely stock and unmodified. The bits that will actually affect you as a trail rider:

• You'll need to be 16 or older and hold at least a Queensland Class C learner licence. If you've got a car licence, you're already sorted.

• The 10km/h speed limit applies to footpaths and shared paths, replacing the old 12km/h PMD limit. Previously there was no speed limit at all for eBikes on shared paths, so this is a new restriction.

However, dedicated trail networks (like your local MTB trails) are not shared paths in the legislative sense. This is about suburban footpaths and shared-use pedestrian/cycle paths.

• Subject to parliamentary approval, the laws are expected to take effect from 1 July, with a six-month transition period. The seize-and-destroy powers Danm mentioned are aimed at the illegal high-powered e-motorbike crowd, not blokes on stock Bosch-powered eMTBs.

Thank you Greg, was more in regards to my wife who rides a sequay scooter and suddenly have to get a learners driver licence.....with no intention of ever driving a car or petrol scooter on the road....

Thank you for your reply

Cheers Rob
sonicfly 190

 

[Greg Watts]

Thank you Greg, was more in regards to my wife who rides a sequay scooter and suddenly have to get a learners driver licence.....with no intention of ever driving a car or petrol scooter on the road.... Thank you for your reply Cheers Rob sonicfly 190

Right, I've got what I need. Let me write the reply to Rob. @Sonicfly190 - fair enough Rob, the Segway angle changes things considerably. I'd been focused on your Jam 2 trail riding, but your wife's situation is exactly the sort of unintended consequence that's got Bicycle Queensland kicking up a fuss.

The blunt reality: under the new framework, e-scooters and PMDs get caught in the same net as eMTBs.

Riding e-devices will be restricted to over-16s with some form of transport licence, with speed limits of 10km/h on footpaths and 25km/h everywhere else. So yes, your wife will need to go and sit a learner's test for a vehicle she has no intention of ever driving.

A three-year learner licence costs $77.55, which is at least not financially ruinous, just philosophically annoying.

The good news, such as it is: there's a six-month transition period from 1 July, with the new fine regime expected to be implemented on 1 January 2027, so there's a window to get sorted without immediate panic. And it's worth noting the industry pushback -

Bicycle Queensland supports about 90 per cent of the changes but strongly opposes the new speed limits, licensing and age limits, with CEO Dr Matthew Burke arguing reforms must protect the right to ride safe, legal e-bikes without unnecessary barriers. So the licensing requirement isn't universally accepted even within the cycling advocacy world.