Splatt Lawyers’ Brisbane Personal Injury Team Welcomes New Queensland E-Scooter and E-Bike Laws

The Personal Injury team at Splatt Lawyers welcomes the QLD government's July 1, 2026 introduction of new laws to improve the safety of e-bike and e-scooter riders

BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA, June 26, 2026 -- Splatt Lawyers’ personal injury compensation team appreciates the introduction of new legislation from 1st July 2026. The Queensland Governments seeks to improve the safety of e-bike and e-scooter riders, pedestrians and other road users state-wide.

The amendments follow a boom in the use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as electric scooters and electric cycles, and a spike in serious injuries and hospitalisations from accidents involving such devices.

E-scooters and e-bikes are becoming increasingly popular in Queensland, particularly in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. These devices are an easy and eco-friendly way of getting around but are also associated with a troubling rise in serious accidents and deaths.

Recent data indicates the increasing safety problems of personal mobility devices:

About 2,000 Queenslanders suffered serious e-mobility injuries during 2025, up from 1,626 injuries in 2024 and 1,380 injuries in 2023 – representing a 45% increase over just two years.

Queensland hospitals are now treating on average more than five people a day for serious e-scooter and e-bike related injuries

• Broken wrists, arms, legs and collarbones account for over 39% of injuries
• Approximately 50% of all patients suffer head, face and neck injuries, making them the leading severe outcomes of crashes.
• More than one in five injured riders are admitted to hospital for treatment
• The majority of e-scooter and e-bike injury presentations are in young adults aged 18 to 39 years, reflecting the increasing popularity of these devices among commuters and students
• E-scooter related accidents resulted in the tragic death of eight individuals, 2025 alone

The new Queensland regulations include a number of steps to limit the risk of major injury. Here is a high-level summary of the changes:

Major Changes to Laws

1. Children under 16 are banned from riding e-mobility devices on public paths and roads.
2. All riders must have at least a valid driver's license (e.g., learner’s permit or higher).
3. Speed limits on shared paths, separated paths, and bicycle lanes are capped at 25 km/h.
4. Random Breath Testing (RBT) applies to e-scooter and e-bike riders with a 0.05 BAC limit.

Increased Penalties

• No helmet or carrying passengers’ doubles to $518
• Riding on a prohibited road or careless riding $518
• Speeding from $345 to $1,986 based on the speed
• Drink riding from $518 to $6,908
• Underage / unlicensed riding (fined to rider and/or parents) $518

Increase in Police Powers

• Police can seize and destroy illegal, non-compliant, or modified devices
• Parents and guardians can be fined if minors ride illegally
• Modifying e-scooters or e-bikes to exceed the 25 km/h limit is strictly prohibited

“The reforms are an important step towards improving public safety but at the same time acknowledging that e-scooters and e-bikes are now a permanent fixture in Queensland’s transport network,” said Splatt Lawyers Principal and Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law, Kerry Splatt.

“The reality is there are still a lot of people who underestimate the risks of e-scooters and e-bikes. “A rider going at 25 kilometres per hour without proper protection can suffer the same kinds of serious injuries we routinely see in bicycle and motorcycle accidents.

“We regularly help clients with injury claims involving broken limbs, spinal damage, serious brain injuries and severe facial injuries caused by crashes on e-mobility vehicles.”

"The increase in the number if injuries in recent years shows that is a need for stronger rules. As these gadgets become more and more widespread on our roads and pathways, we need to make sure safety regulations maintain pace with their popularity.

The new measures in Queensland are expected to boost compliance with existing safety regulations like helmet and speed restrictions. Hefty fines await those who do not comply, and police will have increased powers to stop dangerous and illegal activity.

Mr Splatt said education is also required to reduce injuries.

"Legislation is part of the answer". Public awareness and rider education are also vital. “The evidence shows that many accidents occur when riders don't know the rules or ignore the risks of travelling at high speeds on an e-bike or e-scooter.

The Queensland Law Society-accredited specialist believes that injury prevention is the priority.

“We always want to have fewer people seriously injured. These reforms will be a positive development for all Queenslanders if they improve rider behaviour, increase public awareness and decrease the number of preventable accidents.”

About Splatt Lawyers Brisbane

Splatt Lawyers is Brisbane personal injury law firm that provides QLD-wide legal advice on a 100% no-win, no-fee basis with no upfront costs or hidden fees and direct access to a senior lawyer.

Their QLD motor vehicle accident lawyers work from ten state-wide locations from the Gold Coast to Cairns, including Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs region.

Kerry Splatt is a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law since 1998, a qualification held by about 15% of Queensland lawyers.

Splatt Lawyers
Address: 69 Amelia St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006