Police target unsafe e-mobility use across Queensland

The Queensland Government’s new e-mobility laws are making Queensland streets safer by targeting illegal and dangerous e-bike and e-scooter use.

The laws are improving safety for riders, pedestrians and other road users, and since Operation Yankee Surety commenced on 1 July, and as of 1 August, police have issued 991 traffic infringement notices to e-mobility riders, seized 249 non-compliant devices, conducted 331 roadside breath tests and charged 24 riders with drink riding offence.

The operation includes high-visibility enforcement across Queensland, with police targeting dangerous riding behaviours including speeding, failing to wear helmets, drink riding and the use of e-mobility devices that do not comply with the law.

The Queensland Police Service has seized more than 240 non-compliant e-mobility devices and issued almost 1,000 traffic infringement notices in the first month of a statewide operation targeting unsafe riding and illegal devices.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Rhys Wildman said police will continue to enforce the new e-mobility road rules, and ensure riders are doing the right thing.

“One month into Operation Yankee Surety, we’re still detecting riders using non-compliant devices, failing to wear helmets, speeding, and alarmingly, riding under the influence of alcohol,” Assistant Commissioner Wildman said.

“We thank those Queenslanders who have taken the time to understand the new rules and play their part in keeping our roads and pathways safe.

“Operation Yankee Surety is about protecting everyone who uses our roads and pathways.

“Safer roads start with you. Every decision you make behind the wheel – or on an e-Mobility device, matters.”

Parents and guardians are also being reminded they are responsible for ensuring children ride compliant devices and understand the rules that apply on roads, footpaths and shared paths.

Under the new laws, police can seize illegal devices and conduct roadside breath testing for riders of e-bikes, bicycles, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices in public places.

The rules include a 0.05 breath alcohol concentration limit for riders, a ban on devices capable of exceeding 25km/h, and a 12km/h speed limit on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths.

E-scooters, e-skateboards and e-unicycles can be ridden on roads, including on-road bike lanes, where the speed limit is up to 60km/h, but riders must not travel faster than 25km/h.

Operation Yankee Surety will continue until 30 June 2027, with police to maintain community engagement and enforcement activity across Queensland.

Find more information about e-mobility laws and safety

Last updated:

17 August 2026