Vanessa Hall  
Editor  

THE INQUIRY into e-mobility safety and use in Queensland, which was overseen by the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee, was released recently, with the report listing a series of key recommendations in an effort to curtail safety issues associated with the popular devices.

The inquiry was commissioned by the state government last year after widespread community concerns over the use of illegal devices, injuries and usage amongst children.

It is envisaged that the inquiry will drive the laws around the future use of the devices in Queensland, and it has listed a series of recommendations.

These include restricting the use of devices to riders aged 16 and over and mandating that they hold a learner’s license at least, greater Queensland Police Service (QPS) powers to seize and destroy illegal devices, penalties for tampering with devices, and registration and insurance requirements, such as CTP.

Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton welcomed the release of the inquiry after many years of personal advocacy on the issue.

“In 2025 alone, there were 12 deaths in Queensland, including children, and more than 6,300 presentations to Queensland Health facilities with injuries linked to these devices,” the Member for Noosa said.

“These are tragedies that many in our community have warned about for years. While e-mobility devices bring benefits including accessibility, sustainability, outdoor recreation and a reduction in car use, the safety of everyone sharing our roads and pathways must remain the priority.”

The Member for Noosa said while the Committee’s recommendations are welcomed, any form of action has been too slow.

“Our community has been raising these issues since 2022, and unfortunately, during that time Queensland has seen avoidable injuries and deaths.

“E-mobility devices are here to stay, and they can provide real benefits. However, the framework governing them must prioritise safety, accountability and common sense.”

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie attributed the current problem to the former state government.

“The rise of unsafe e-mobility devices on our streets is a complex issue that exploded under the former Labor Government during their decade of decline.

“The Crisafulli Government will carefully consider the Inquiry’s recommendations and work calmly and methodically to respond so we can restore safety for Queenslanders, after a decade of weak laws.”

The inquiry also sets out recommendations as to how local government can do their part by way of local laws that regulate devices in certain areas and with signage.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said that they were “fully supportive of any efforts to improve safety on our roads and footpaths.”

“Council is reviewing the recommendations of the inquiry and acknowledges that they are still to be considered by the Queensland Government.

“The inquiry did not recommend new regulatory or enforcement responsibilities for local governments and the regulation of devices, riders and enforcement remains a Queensland Government responsibility.”

Are the recommendations the best fit?
Bicycle Queensland (BQ), which is the peak body and ‘voice’ for community riding in the state, suggests that the recommendations have gone too far.

“If this licence-holding recommendation is adopted by the LNP, we’ll probably never get a public hire scheme back on the Sunshine Coast, like the Neuron e-bike and e-scooter trial,” BQ CEO Prof Matthew Burke stated.

BQ stated that the rest of the world encourages e-mobility to reduce traffic congestion and to create better communities, and so should Queensland. BQ rejects the recommendation for any form of licence to use legal e-bikes.

“Even the food delivery companies are realising what the impacts are, as most of their delivery riders are international students on e-bikes… We’ll see Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Domino’s just stop delivering to many Queensland suburbs.”

BQ supports an age threshold for safe and legal e-bikes and believes it should be set somewhere between 12 and 14 years of age.

Where to next? 
The work of the parliamentary committee was shaped by community input and more than 1,200 submissions and was tabled on March 4. Now that the report has been tabled, the LNP Crisafulli Government will work quickly to respond to the recommendations and progress supported reforms in a timely and effective manner.

Have you got something to say on the inquiry? Why not send in a letter? Please email –  editor@coolumadvertiser.com.au