Independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton has welcomed recommendations from a Queensland parliamentary inquiry into e-mobility safety, saying stronger regulation is urgently needed to address dangerous behaviour involving illegal and modified electric bikes, scooters and other powered devices.
“Our community has been raising these issues since 2022, and unfortunately during that time Queensland has seen avoidable injuries and deaths,” Ms Bolton said.
“In 2025 alone there were 12 deaths in Queensland, including children, and more than 6300 presentations to Queensland Health facilities with injuries linked to these devices.”
“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 the sought reduction in car use, the safety of everyone sharing our roads and pathways must remain the priority.”
The State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee’s report into e-mobility safety followed an inquiry that received 1223 submissions, including one from the Noosa MP outlining concerns raised by residents, police and first responders about unsafe devices and behaviour on roads, pathways and public spaces.
The committee has recommended significant reforms, including restricting compliant devices to riders aged 16 and over who hold at least a learner licence.
Other proposals include defining devices capable of travelling above 25km/h and meeting Australian Design Standards as motorbikes requiring a motorcycle licence, registration and Compulsory Third Party insurance.
The report also calls for anti-tampering laws to prohibit modification kits, stronger powers for police to seize, impound and destroy illegal devices, and defining all e-mobility devices with an electrical power source as a motor vehicle to simplify enforcement.
Ms Bolton said the recommendations addressed many of the concerns raised by communities and first responders.
“Regulations already exist however have not kept pace with the rapid growth and misuse of these devices,” she said.
“Stronger enforcement and oversight powers, clearer product standards and a unified approach across all levels of government have been sought, and the report reflects this.”
However, she said action had come too slowly.
“It is disappointing that governments did not act sooner and I trust they now implement the committee’s recommendations,” Ms Bolton said.
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has also backed stronger enforcement and education following the inquiry’s findings.
Royal Automobile Club of Queensland head of public policy Dr Michael Kane said while the recommendations could improve safety, any changes would take time to implement as legislation and regulations would need to be updated.
“It will take time for those recommendations to go through if the government wishes to do that,” Dr Kane said.
“There will need to be changes to regulation and legislation, so the key message to parents, if you’re thinking about buying anything today, be cautious and don’t do it.”
Dr Kane said the timing of any law changes could also raise questions for families who had already purchased devices for teenagers.
“By the time this legislation gets through, a lot of 15-year-olds will be 16, so that’s a question for the government to consider whether compensation is justified,” he said.
The inquiry was launched last year following growing concerns about crashes, injuries and fatalities linked to personal mobility devices.
Committee chair Jim McDonald said the recommendations were designed to improve safety for both riders and pedestrians.
Dr Kane said stronger enforcement was particularly important when illegal devices – including high-powered e-bikes and electric motorbikes – were being used by children.
“We need better enforcement and it’s important that when we see kids on illegal vehicles, we do have enforcement,” he said.
However, he said enforcement must be supported by education.
“Strong education and strong enforcement work together to deliver safer outcomes.
“That’s what the committee has said and we strongly support stronger enforcement backed by stronger education.”
The inquiry’s recommendations are now being considered by Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg, who said the government would review the report before deciding whether to change the law.
