Queensland Parliamentary Committee Urges Revision of Strict E-Bike Speed Limits
Proposed e-mobility laws in Queensland are facing significant scrutiny after a parliamentary committee recommended “watering down” a controversial blanket speed limit. The State development, infrastructure and works committee has suggested that a proposed 10km/h speed limit for e-bikes and e-scooters should be restricted to high-pedestrian zones rather than applied across all shared paths.
- Speed Limit Shift: The committee recommends the 10km/h limit apply only to “high pedestrian areas,” not shared paths.
- Licensing Flexibility: While a learner’s licence requirement is supported, exceptions are proposed for those unable to hold one due to age, medical conditions, or disability.
- Age Restrictions: A proposed ban on e-mobility device use for those under 16 has been supported.
- Existing Hardware: Recommendations suggest safety compliance be based on the standards in place when a device was manufactured to avoid making existing e-bikes illegal.
Refining the Speed Limit Framework
The core of the controversy centers on a proposed blanket 10km/h speed limit on footpaths and shared paths. According to a report from the Brisbane Times, the committee suggests removing this limit from shared paths unless otherwise signed.
Instead, the committee is considering a more nuanced approach:
- High Pedestrian Areas: A 10km/h limit would remain in specific, to-be-determined high-traffic zones.
- Proximity Rules: The committee is considering a 15km/h speed limit when riders are within 10 metres of a pedestrian.
Jim McDonald, chair of the state development, infrastructure and works committee, stated that these amendments would provide a “clear and practical framework to make e-mobility use safer for all … Whilst promoting riding opportunities with minimal and appropriate restrictions.”
Licensing, Age, and Accessibility
The proposed reforms include a requirement for all riders to hold at least a learner’s licence and a ban on riders under the age of 16. While the committee has given these measures the “green light,” they emphasized the need for inclusivity.
As reported by ABC News, the committee proposed amendments to ensure that individuals who cannot obtain a driver’s licence—specifically due to disability, old age, or medical conditions—can still legally operate e-mobility devices if they can do so safely.
Addressing the “Illegal Bike” Concern
A major point of contention is whether new safety standards would retroactively make current e-bikes illegal. The committee recommends that international safety standard compliance be applied based on the version in place at the time of the bike’s manufacture. This prevents a scenario where a recent update to safety regulations would suddenly render thousands of existing, law-abiding devices non-compliant.
Industry Backlash and Public Protest
Despite the committee’s recommendations to soften the laws, some industry leaders argue the legislation is fundamentally flawed. Dr. Matthew Burke, chief executive of Bicycle Queensland, claims the proposed laws fail to address the “fundamental problem” of “outrageously overpowered, unsafe high-speed e-bikes and e-scooters” often used by children.
Dr. Burke has called for the bill to be pulled and “started again because this cannot go forward,” arguing that the current approach misses the mark on community safety. This frustration manifested in public protests on Thursday, as riders voiced their opposition to the crackdown.
What’s Next for Queensland E-Mobility?
The state development, infrastructure and works committee, which received more than 3,000 submissions and previously made 28 recommendations to Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg in March, has recommended that the bill be passed—provided these amendments are integrated. The government must now decide whether to adopt the committee’s suggestions to balance pedestrian safety with the practical needs of e-mobility users.