E-Bike rules in Queensland
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What is an e-bike?
An electric bike (e-bike) is a bike that has pedals as the primary source of power, but has a small electric motor that provides assistance to:
- start riding
- go up hills
- ride against the wind.
Power rules
To be legal to ride in public places, an e-bike must:
- have a motor with a maximum continuous rated power output of 250 watts
- be pedal powered with motor assistance up to 25 km/h
- have a motor that stops providing assistance after 25 km/h
- be throttle-controlled, only up to 6km/h, to help you start moving
- meet the European Standard EN 15194 and display a compliance label.
A transition period will apply from 1 July 2026 to enable riders to comply with this rule—further information to come.
Some examples of legal e-bikes
Most legal e-bikes comply with the standard for Electric Power Assisted Bicycles (EPAC) EN 15194. Look out for a compliance sticker on the bike like this:
What is the age limit to ride an e-bike?
There is currently no minimum age limit required to ride an e-bike.
Beginning 31 August 2026, new age rules will commence. Further information will be provided closer to this date.
Where can you ride?
You can ride an e-bike on most roads and paths in Queensland, unless signs say bikes are not allowed. You must follow the bicycle rules, including the speed limit, when riding an e-bike.
Do you need a licence or registration?
No. You don’t currently need a licence, registration or insurance to ride a legal e-bike. Beginning 31 August 2026, new licensing rules will commence. Further information will be provided closer to this date.
Illegal devices
The following devices are illegal to ride on public paths or roads in Queensland:
- petrol-powered bikes
- electric bikes with motors more powerful than 250 watts maximum continuous rated power
- bikes that only use a throttle (for example, no pedalling required to power the bike)
You can be charged with significant fines if you, or your children, are caught using an illegal device on the road. Police can also seize, impound and destroy illegal devices.
You may be subject to multiple fines if caught riding illegally – for example, police can issue cumulative fines to riders caught riding an illegal device while on a prohibited road and speeding.
Parental responsibility
From 1 July 2026, parents and guardians can be fined for allowing their child to ride an illegal device.
You can be charged with unregistered, uninsured and unlicensed offences if you or your child/ren are caught using an illegal device on the road. Police can also confiscate and impound illegal devices.
Some examples of illegal devices
Can I modify my e-bike?
No, all e-bikes must be fitted with compliance labelling that meets the EN 15194 European Standard. The EN 15194 standard does not allow tampering of devices after being manufactured. This means that modifications like after-market conversion kits are not compliant with the standard and would make the device illegal to ride in public.
It is acknowledged that people living with disabilities or medical conditions sometimes need to use non-standard e-bikes, modified for mobility assistance. More information about compliance pathways for these types of bikes will be provided later this year.
What if my e-bike says it can be ‘unlocked for private property use’?
Devices fitted with a motor more powerful than 250-watts of maximum continuous rated power are not allowed to be used on any public paths or roads in Queensland, because they do not meet the requirements of the standard EN 15194.
Under the European standard, e-bikes must have a maximum continuous rated power of no more than 250-watts. E-bikes which have been 'locked' via software do not meet this requirement because they have more powerful motors.
High-powered, but 'locked' e-bikes are illegal devices and are subject to significant fines, seizure and destruction by police.
Rider rules
When riding an e-bike you must follow the bicycle rules. Important points to note:
- always wear a helmet
- obey speed limits (motor can only help you up to maximum 25 km/h)
- only carry passengers if the bike is made for it—and they must wear a helmet too
- don’t use your phone while riding (unless it’s in a cradle and hands-free)
- give way to pedestrians on footpaths and shared paths
- don’t ride on the pedestrian side of separated paths
- don’t drink and ride
- don’t ride under the influence of drugs
- no riding on motorways or anywhere a ‘no bicycle’ sign is installed
- if there’s a crash, stop, help anyone hurt, and share your contact details.
If you break the rules, you may get a fine.
Know the difference: e-bikes verses other electric bikes
Some electric vehicles look like e-bikes but are actually electric motorcycles. These:
- don’t have pedals
- can go very fast under throttle power
- look like mopeds or dirt bikes.
If used on a Queensland road, these vehicles need registration, insurance, and a licence. They are not allowed on paths.
Police have the power to seize and destroy illegal devices from 1 July 2026.
Examples of electric vehicles that can be registered and are often confused with standard e-bikes
Not all electric motorcycles can be registered. If the device doesn’t meet safety standards for general or conditional registration, it cannot be used on roads, paths, or any public place.
If your device doesn’t meet the rules, it must only be used on private property.