- The Crisafulli Government’s nation leading e-mobility laws will take effect from today, cracking down on illegal and high-powered e-bikes and e-scooters.
- The new laws give the Queensland Police the support they need to target hoons and dangerous e-mobility behaviour.
- Queensland Police will re-launch Operation Surety today as part of a statewide blitz, with the first phase resulting in more than 2,600 infringements.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered nation-leading e-mobility reforms to make Queensland safer and curb community concerns over the rapid rise in illegal and high-powered e-bikes during Labor’s decade of decline.
The tough new laws give Queensland Police the powers they need to target e-bike and e-scooter hoons, whose dangerous behavior on roads and footpaths has been putting the community at risk.
The stronger laws that come into effect from today include:
- Police powers to seize and destroy illegal devices.
- Police powers to conduct random breath tests for riders in public places.
- E-bikes and scooters which can exceed 25km/h unassisted will be banned and 12km speed limits to apply near pedestrians.
- Higher penalties for speeding, failure to wear a helmet, careless riding, illegally carrying passengers and riding Personal Mobility Devices on prohibited roads.
- Parental accountability for children under 16 riding illegally.
While licensing requirements for riders, with exemptions for medical conditions and disabilities, and ability for 12-17 year olds to ride under parental supervision come into effect from August 31.
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.
To coincide with the new laws, Queensland Police are launching Operation Surety to target dangerous riders, illegal high-powered devices, speeding, drink riding, and helmet offences.
The first phase of Operation Surety, launched in November 2025, resulted in 2,628 infringements being issued, including 1,824 for not wearing a helmet, 358 for riding on a prohibited road and 69 for speeding – highlighting the extent of dangerous and unlawful e-mobility behaviour across the State.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said Queenslanders had made it clear they wanted action on dangerous e-mobility behaviour.
“For too long, illegal high-powered devices and reckless riders have been allowed to terrorise Queensland communities while the former Government sat on its hands,” Minister Purdie said.
“The free ride is over – if you’re riding an illegal device, putting pedestrians at risk or treating public spaces like your own racetrack, expect to be caught.
“After a decade of Labor turning a blind eye to the proliferation of illegal high-powered devices, the Crisafulli Government is giving police the tools they need to crackdown on dangerous behaviour and make Queensland safer.”
Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads Sam O’Connor said the Crisafulli Government had delivered on its promise to legislate nation-leading e-mobility laws.
“Throughout the process of developing our e-mobility laws, we promised we would make tough decisions and implement nation-leading e-mobility laws, so we could keep the community safe,” Minister O’Connor said.
“By contrast, after months of calling for a knee jerk reaction, Labor voted against our evidence-based approach, they voted against giving police the powers they need, and they voted to back the hoons and hooligans terrorising Queenslanders.
“Our reforms are practical, enforceable, and get the balance right between keeping Queenslanders safe from those doing the wrong thing, while backing those who do the right thing.”
Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said the operation represents QPS’ commitment to keeping all road users safe – including riders of e-mobility devices.
“Queensland police have witnessed a rapid rise in the use of e-mobility devices across Queensland, and while they offer convenience, they must be used safely and lawfully,” Assistant Commissioner Wildman said.
“Operation Surety reinforces our strong commitment to road safety, which extends to every rider on EPACs, PMDs and other e-mobility devices.
“We want all riders to understand that rules exist for a reason, and dangerous behaviours and non-compliant devices place not just the rider, but the entire community, at risk of tragic crashes, injuries and death.”
