In recent months, Queensland Police have aggressively ramped up their enforcement of e-mobility regulations. Just in the past two months south of the border, they’ve issued over 2,100 fines to users of e-mobility devices! In response to the growing safety issues associated with personal mobility devices, the state government initiated a parliamentary inquiry in May. This recent crackdown is a direct response to that investigation. This question comes in light of some disturbing new figures. From 2021 to 2024, rider, passenger, and pedestrian injuries caused by these vehicles increased by an astounding 112 percent.
This week’s enforcement actions are the start of a bucket-load of potentially safer outcomes on Queensland’s roads. A large number of the fines were due to not wearing helmets. This violation made up 1,652 of the penalties handed out. Furthermore, e-mobility devices like e-bikes are booming in popularity among younger Australians. As this trend has expanded, safety and regulatory gaps have become increasingly clear.
In 2021, the unexpected easing of import regulations opened the floodgates, and Australia saw a boom to availability of e-bikes. From 2017 to 2022, imports increased from just over 9,000 to an incredible 200,000 units. Yet, as recent reporting by WHYY, Bloomberg Environment, and others have uncovered, experts say the boom hasn’t been greeted with sufficient rules. Milad Haghani, an associate professor of urban risk, resilience, and mobility at the University of Melbourne, highlights that many young teenagers can easily access high-powered e-bikes that do not comply with legal standards.
“Currently, it’s very easy for a young teenager to access an e-bike that is not legal, that is high-powered, and it’s very easy for them to modify a regular bike … and these modification kits are available at a very small cost to them,” – Milad Haghani
The minimum age to ride e-bikes is inconsistent across Australia. In nearly all states, riders need to be a minimum of 16 years old. In the Northern Territory, the minimum age goes up to 18. Queensland permits kids as young as 12 to operate e-bikes with parental consent. They’re worried that these regulations will not be enough.
Associate Professor Alexa Delbosc, who co-authored the new research, says there’s a more important problem. Most e-bikes in her study probably don’t even count as illegal ones. In May 2025, Delbosc and her team monitored more than 27,000 two-wheel vehicles across eight sites in inner Melbourne, where the majority were identified as food delivery riders.
“This suggests that many of these e-bikes are throttle-based or modified and therefore appear to be non-compliant with the legal definition of an e-bike,” – Alexa Delbosc
Given rising rider fatalities and injuries, Queensland police and local authorities are calling for better compliance on scooter rider safety. Dan Purdie, a member of the Queensland Parliament, has expressed frustration over the blatant disregard for road rules among some riders. He shines a light on the threats they not just to themselves but to pedestrians and other road users.
“Too many riders are deliberately ignoring the road rules, putting themselves and others at serious risk,” – Dan Purdie
Violating safety concerns multiply. Fear of danger increases, as, ironically, most e-mobility devices currently in operation are technically illegal. Further, many of these devices have been tweaked for improved performance. As Queensland Police Constable Gareth Bosley warned them, these devices are capable of speeds approaching that of motorcycles. Yet the surprising reality is that they’re often used on public roads without basic protective equipment, like helmets.
“Many of the devices being utilised are illegal and unlawful devices, high-powered devices capable of travelling similar speeds to a motorcycle being ridden on our roads and pathways, often without helmets,” – Gareth Bosley
Young Australians are increasingly interested in e-bikes, particularly due to social trends. In the process, parents are left wondering how they should be teaching their children how to ride safely. Purdie is more excited about the awareness this incident will bring around what “safe” behavior looks like with e-mobility devices.
“I hope there’s a better awareness among parents and children on the safe use of these devices and know what devices are legal and what devices are safe … and what is essentially constituting safe behaviour,” – Dan Purdie
Increasing rates of injuries and lackadaisical regulatory enforcement are unacceptable trends. At the same time, the newfound popularity makes it much tougher on policymakers. As recent research from Alexa Delbosc emphasizes, the lure of speed keeps young riders flocking to e-bikes.
“It’s thrilling to be able to zoom along, and I think that’s the appeal for teenagers and young people,” – Alexa Delbosc
