As mentioned in our March 2024 Noosa 360 update, following resident feedback regarding introducing licensing and an age limit to ensure riders have both the proficiency and capacity to operate these devices safely, Sandy asked a Question on Notice to the Minister in Parliament. Their full response is below and can be viewed in the official parliamentary record at https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2024/420-2024.pdf

Sandy’s QON

With reference to the many concerns expressed by Queenslanders regarding unsafe and reckless e-bike and e-scooter riding, including by children— Will the Minister advise what further consideration is being given to introducing a licensing scheme for operators and riders of e-bikes and e-scooters to improve safety?

The Minister’s response

I am advised that the licensing of bicycles, including e-bikes, and Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) riders has been considered in the past and it has been conclusively determined that the administrative and regulatory costs to both users and government outweigh any benefits to such a scheme. Additionally, no other jurisdiction in Australia currently requires riders of bicycles or PMDs to be licenced.

With the above response providing no reassurance to our community and escalating reports of an increase in dangerous behaviour, Sandy spoke the following adjournment speech in Parliament regarding:

With the population in South-East Queensland increasing, ongoing difficulties in managing tourism numbers as well as the upcoming Olympics, it is
imperative that we have the infrastructure, services and policies to deal with issues. One of the most urgent relates to e-bikes and e-scooters. This issue is filling our inboxes and is prevalent on social media and on the streets. Reports of dangerous riding, including children weaving between traffic, and statistics on the volume of accidents on our footpaths involving riders and pedestrians alike are growing. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons reported that data from 20 emergency departments across Queensland shows there are around 100 emergency department presentations from e-scooter injuries each month. Governments do not appear to track statistics on e-bike and e-scooter deaths on our roads and pathways, and we could not find anything on the TMR website or the Australian Road Deaths Database. However, when you google, you will tragically find a fatal e-scooter death in Townsville; one in Bundaberg, who was 14 years old; and another in High gate Hill—all in this year alone.

Australian design rules are meant to limit the speed and power of e-bikes, but who checks the design rules are met? Who checks the batteries are under 200 watts? Who is monitoring the shops and eBay sellers? Who is educating riders and parents on what is legal and what is not? With ineffective design rules, police are unable to enforce the new laws introduced, but, in reality, what can they do? Chase them through the traffic?

Jurisdictions across Australia and the world are utilising various ways to prevent injuries and deaths, and we need to quickly determine what Queensland will do. Some states ban them from footpaths and others categorise varieties of them as motorbikes because, literally, that is what they have become, requiring both licensing and registration. Other states have age constraints and some ban them all together from footpaths and roads.

None of us want a nanny state but the reality is that we have to make provision here. Given that e-bikes and e-scooters were very much part of the modal shift to reduce car use and congestion, which is a very good thing, it is understandable that Transport and Main Roads have acknowledged the need for separate, dedicated lanes. That sounds wonderful, but the reality is that for many communities this has not been possible. A lack of funding and urgency, as well as a lack of space to accommodate those lanes, has left us again being reactive instead of proactive. We do not have much time. The question is: what will governments commit to now, including how much will be available for the infrastructure required for communities already impacted, and when will this be made available?

As mentioned in our February 2024 Noosa 360 update and referenced in Sandy’s speech, Transport and Main Roads (TMR) acknowledged the need for better separate infrastructure, hence Sandy request’s for firm commitments.

Our local police take this seriously and Sandy thanks them for acting swiftly, with the following being provided by the Queensland Police Service regarding a recent arrest linked to dangerous electric bike riding:

Dangerous operation charges, Noosaville

Police have charged a Sunrise Beach boy with 36 alleged traffic offences that occurred across Noosaville, Peregian Beach, and Noosa Heads in nine separate incidents from March to May.

On Sunday, May 19, Detectives charged a 15-year-old Sunrise Beach boy with nine counts each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving without a driver’s licence, unregistered vehicle, and drive uninsured.

The arrest follows an investigation launched by Noosa Heads Child Protection Unit into road offences involving young people riding electric bikes throughout Noosa Heads. 

The investigation utilised dash-cam footage, community-based information, and open searches of social media accounts.

It will be alleged Detectives located a series of videos uploaded to social media, with the Sunrise Beach boy engaging in dangerous stunts on an electric bike.

The Sunrise Beach boy was released on bail and is expected to appear in Maroochydore Childrens Court today, May 22. (May want to leave out yellow as may trigger re the bail)

We will continue advocacy including if any innovations are being investigated to alert parents/police regarding speeding of their children, enforcement statistics of the new laws passed in February and how this can be improved, given that police resources are stretched beyond capacity. More information on those laws is available at www.sandybolton.com/electric-bikes-and-scooters-update-february-2024.

Further information

The below information is regarding what is determined a ‘non-compliant’ electric bike which is also available at www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/electric-bicycle-rules:

Non-compliant electric bikes

Your motorised bike is non-compliant and can’t be ridden on public roads or paths if it has any of the following:

  • a petrol-powered or internal combustion engine
  • an electric motor capable of generating over 200 watts (that isn’t a pedalec)
  • an electric motor that is the primary source of power.

For example, if your bike has a petrol-powered engine attached before or after purchase, it is non-compliant. If your bike’s electric motor can help up to speeds in excess of 25km/h without cutting off, it is non-compliant. If your bike has non-functioning pedals that do not propel the bike, it is non-compliant. If you can twist a throttle and ride your bike using the bike’s motor power only, without using the pedals, it is non-compliant.

Non-compliant bikes may only be ridden on private property with no public access.

If a non-compliant bike is to be ridden legally on a road, it must comply with the Australian Design Rules requirements for a motorcycle and be registered.

Other specific regulations and potential fines are also available on our April 2023 Noosa 360 update at www.sandybolton.com/electric-bikes-and-scooters-regulations-april-2023

For those wishing to contact the relevant Queensland Minister, please email transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please copy in our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au  and forward us any response you receive.

For our previous Noosa 360 update on electric bikes and scooters, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Electric+Bikes

Updates on many local matters are available on Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360. To receive information straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter via www.sandybolton.com/newsletters. This also ensures you receive any future Noosa related surveys or polls.