Updated 15 June 2026. This article updates our earlier coverage of the parliamentary committee recommendations. The bill has now been passed.
After more than 12 months of consultation, two separate reviews, and over 5,000 submissions from riders, retailers, disability advocates, and industry bodies, Queensland's Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026 was passed on 4 June 2026.
The new laws come into effect on 1 July 2026, with one important exception: the compliance labelling requirement for e-bikes does not kick in until 28 February 2027, giving existing owners time to get sorted.
If you followed our earlier coverage — first on the EN15194 drafting problems, and then on what the parliamentary committee recommended — this article brings everything together now that the bill is law.
What the New Laws Actually Change for Riders
Age and Licensing
From 31 August 2026, you must be 16 years old and hold a current, valid vehicle licence to ride an e-bike on Queensland roads and shared paths. A Queensland learner's licence counts, as does an interstate or international equivalent.
Exemptions apply for:
- Riders aged 12–17 under direct parental supervision
- Riders aged 12 and over with a disability exemption
If you are under 16 and riding illegally, your parents can be fined — this applies from 1 July 2026.
Speed Limits
The committee's work on this paid off. The final rules are more nuanced than the original blanket proposal:
- 12 km/h when riding on a footpath
- 12 km/h when passing pedestrians on a shared path
- E-bike motors can only assist up to 25 km/h — beyond that, only your own pedal power can take you faster
- On shared paths where no speed limit is signed, the 12 km/h rule applies only when passing pedestrians
Compliance Labelling — the Key Change for Existing Owners
To ride legally on Queensland roads after 28 February 2027, your e-bike must be marked as meeting the EN15194 standard — specifically the version that applied at the time your bike was manufactured. This is the “grandfathering” principle the committee fought for and it made it into the final legislation.
Bikes that are not currently marked as EN15194 compliant have until 28 February 2027 to be assessed and labelled. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) is working with Bicycle Industries Australia (BIA) on an assurance scheme to help owners through this process. Full guidance on this scheme will be published after 31 August 2026 — at streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au.
Enforcement and Penalties
From 1 July, police have significant new powers:
- Seize and destroy illegal devices
- Random breath tests for e-bike riders — the 0.05 BAC limit applies
- Increased fines across the board
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Not wearing a helmet | $518 |
| Doubling (carrying a passenger) | $518 |
| Careless riding | $518 |
| Speeding | $345–$1,986 depending on speed |
| Drink riding | $518 to $6,908 (maximum court imposed) |
| Parents fined for under-16s riding illegally | $518 |
What Is Still Illegal — and the Bill Doesn't Change That
This is important. The new bill does not legalise anything that was previously illegal. E-bikes that exceed 250W continuous rated power, have a maximum assisted speed above 25 km/h, or do not require pedalling to activate the motor, remain illegal on Queensland roads.
- If a bike is certified as 500W in NSW, it cannot be road legal in Queensland
- If a motor is offered in multiple power configurations (e.g. 250W, 500W, or “unlocked”), that device cannot be road legal in Queensland — even if it is software-limited to 250W at the time of purchase
- If a retailer or brand provides advice, codes, or devices that allow the consumer to modify the power, speed, or throttle of the bike, that bike cannot meet EN15194
What the Bill Means for Retailers
For Queensland bike shops, the new rules are clear:
- No sale of any powered bike to anyone under 16 — this covers both road-legal e-bikes and private-property bikes
- Any bike advertised as road legal must meet EN15194
- A shop cannot advise that a bike is road legal if it does not meet EN15194
- All bikes must be marked with the EN15194 requirements as per the standard in force at the year of manufacture
A Note on the Process
The BIA's summary of the outcome is worth sharing here, because it is an honest one:
“This process was designed to address the issue of high-speed e-bikes being used in a dangerous manner. Unfortunately, the main impact of the changes will be on bikes that are already road legal and being used safely, especially those with a disability, seniors, or other vulnerable communities — but the original bill was much worse.”
The Queensland bicycle community — Bicycle Queensland, Bicycle Users Groups (BUGS), riders, and industry bodies working together — generated an almost record number of submissions against the original proposal. The changes that resulted, particularly the manufactured-version grandfathering of EN15194 and the disability exemptions, are a direct result of that collective effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the compliance plate on my e-bike?
Check for stamps (imprints) or a sticker on the underside of the frame. Common placements are under the headtube, and behind or at the front of the seattube.
What do I do if I can't find the compliance plate?
Our suggestion is to wait until the guidance due in August is released. From then, riders have until February 2027 to ensure their bikes are compliant. The DTMR assurance scheme — developed with the BIA — will be designed specifically to help owners of EN15194-compliant bikes that simply lack the appropriate markings. Watch streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au for updates.
I bought my e-bike from Electric Bikes Brisbane before this new legislation. Is it still legal?
Yes. All the e-bikes we sell, and have ever sold, are EN15194 compliant. The European brands in particular have provided compliance plates as a matter of course. If you have any questions about your specific bike, contact our team and we will help you confirm what you need.
Does the new law affect e-cargo bikes?
The final legislation includes recognition for EN15194-compliant e-cargo bikes with a maximum pedal-assisted speed of 25 km/h. If you ride a cargo bike and are unsure of its compliance status, get in touch.
What about e-trikes and adaptive devices?
The legislation provides for disability exemptions and DTMR is tasked with developing an exemption framework for devices that cannot fully meet EN15194 but still operate within the 25 km/h and 250W safety parameters. More detail is expected after August 2026.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | What changes |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2026 | New laws commence — speed limits, drink riding enforcement, seizure powers, parental fines |
| 31 August 2026 | Age and licensing requirement takes effect (must be 16+ with valid licence) |
| After 31 August 2026 | DTMR assurance scheme guidance published |
| 28 February 2027 | Deadline for all e-bikes to carry EN15194 compliance labelling |
Browse Our Compliant Range
Every e-bike we stock meets EN15194. If you want to check whether your current bike is compliant, or if you are looking at upgrading to something you know is sorted from day one, our team is happy to help.
Browse our e-bike range | Contact us for advice
Sources: Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 | QLD Street Smarts — E-bikes & E-scooters | Bicycle Industries Australia dealer communication, 15 June 2026
