- The second tranche of the Crisafulli Government's new nation-leading e-mobility reforms come into effect from tomorrow.
- Parental fines apply and riders will need to hold a minimum learner's licence from 31 August.
- Laws deliver on community feedback and are designed to restore safety to Queensland streets after deaths and serious injury from dangerous e-bike and e-scooter use.
- Almost 400 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized since the first part of new laws started on 1 July.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering nation-leading e-bike laws to make Queensland safer, despite Labor voting against them.
The Crisafulli Government is further clamping down on the dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters across Queensland, with the second phase of tough new e-mobility laws coming into effect from tomorrow.
Under the new tranche of the Crisafulli Government's nation-leading laws, parents subject to fines for children caught riding e-bikes and e-scooters illegally, and riders will require a minimum of a Learners' Licence.
The new reforms were designed in response to feedback from Queenslanders, who wanted stronger action to target hoons terrorising the community.
Shockingly, Labor voted against tougher new laws to keep Queenslanders safe.
From tomorrow, new measures come into effect, including:
- Riders will need to be at least 16 years of age and hold a minimum learner's licence; and
- Parents will also be held responsible if children under 16 are caught riding e-bikes or e-scooters illegally and will face fines.
Exemptions exist for children 12-17 while riding with their parents, and for people unable to hold a licence due to medical reasons or a disability.
It follows Tranche 1 of the nation-leading laws which commenced on 1 July:
- Police have the powers to seize and destroy illegal devices;
- Police have the powers to conduct random breath tests for riders in public places;
- A ban on e-bikes and scooters which can exceed 25km/h unassisted and a 12km/h speed limit near pedestrians; and
- Higher penalties for speeding, failure to wear a helmet, careless riding, illegally carrying passengers and riding personal mobility devices on prohibited roads.
Almost 400 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized and 1,747 traffic infringement notices issued under the Crisafulli Government's nation-leading e-mobility laws, with police continuing to crack down and restore safety to Queensland streets.
Disappointingly Labor voted against the tough new reforms, after their decade of decline saw a surge in high-powered and illegal devices across Queensland, putting the community at risk.
Interstate and international licences will be accepted, however if a rider's licence is suspended or disqualified, they will be prohibited from riding an e-mobility device.
A range of practical exemptions will also ensure children, people with certain medical conditions or disabilities, and riders in designated recreational areas can continue to access e-mobility devices.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Crisafulli Government was delivered nation leading e-mobility laws, to boost safety on Queensland streets.
"After Labor's decade of inaction, we always said we would make the tough decisions to keep the community safe," Minister Mickelberg said.
"Our laws get the balance right between cracking down on those who do the wrong thing, while backing those Queenslanders who do the right thing and delivering sensible exemptions.
"Labor's hypocrisy on this is breathtaking. After a year calling for knee jerk reactions and band-aid solutions, they voted to back the hoons and the hooligans who are terrorising Queenslanders.
"We promised to deliver nation-leading laws about who can ride, what they can ride, where they can ride, and how fast – and our laws will do exactly that."
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the Crisafulli Government's nation-leading e-mobility reforms were making Queensland safer.
"The Crisafulli Government's nation-leading e-mobility reforms are already delivering positive results with almost 400 devices seized and 1,747 traffic infringement notices issued with tranche 2 set to come into effect from tomorrow," Minister Purdie said.
"These tough new laws - which Labor voted against - are making Queensland safer and turning the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis which created a generation of serious repeat offenders.
"The Crisafulli Government is committed to giving our hardworking the police the laws, resources and support they need to do their jobs which is why we are also expanding our landmark Adult Crime, Adult Time laws to include Breach Bail, Go to Jail reforms."
Acting Deputy Commissioner Rhys Wildman said police statewide have issued more than 1,700 fines to riders engaging in risky behaviour.
"For any road user, these behaviours are dangerous and increase the risk of serious crashes and injury. However, for young road users who lack experience on Queensland roads, the consequences of these behaviours can be catastrophic, and even the smallest lapse in concentration can result in a tragedy," Acting Deputy Commissioner Wildman said.
"But where riders choose to disregard the law, enforcement action will follow.
"Road safety starts with every Queenslander, and whether driving a car, riding a motorcycle or using an e-mobility device, Queenslanders can expect police anywhere, anytime."
