E-bikes and E-Scooters are also known as PMD ( personal mobility devices )
The Rules for PMDs are as follows:
In Queensland, you can use a variety of personal mobility devices, which are classified as vehicles and therefore must adhere to both personal mobility device rules and general road rules.
To ride a personal mobility device, you must be:
• At least 16 years old, or
• At least 12 years old and supervised by an adult.
Children under 12 are not permitted to ride personal mobility devices.
Keep in mind that our paths are used by people of all abilities, so ensure your device does not block the path.
If you violate road rules while riding a personal mobility device, you may receive the same fines as motorists, though no demerit points will be accrued.
Personal mobility devices include:
• E-scooters
• E-skateboards
• Self-balancing single-wheeled devices (e.g., e-unicycles and e-boards)
In Queensland, a personal mobility device must:
• Be designed for use by one person only
• Fit within the following dimensions:
o 1,250mm long by 700mm wide by 1,350mm high, or
o 700mm long by 1,250mm wide by 1,350mm high
• Have a maximum weight of 60kg (when not carrying a person or load)
• Be powered by an electric motor
• Have one or more wheels
The following are not considered personal mobility devices:
• Vehicles with pedals
• Motorised mobility devices (e.g., mobility scooters or motorised wheelchairs)
• Wheeled recreational devices (e.g., skateboards, roller skates, and foot scooters)
Where You Can Ride:
When riding a personal mobility device, you must:
• Keep left and give way to pedestrians
• Travel at a speed appropriate for the area
• Maintain a safe distance from pedestrians to avoid collisions
• Keep left of oncoming bicycles and other personal mobility devices
Paths
You may ride on paths unless a sign prohibits personal mobility devices. Speed limits for paths are:
• Footpaths: 12 km/h maximum
• Shared paths: 12 km/h maximum (unless otherwise signed)
• Separated paths: 25 km/h maximum (unless otherwise signed)
• Bicycle paths: 25 km/h maximum (unless otherwise signed)
On this QLD GOV page link, you will find more information about the following:
• Personal mobility devices
• Where you can ride
• Paths
• Roads
• Prohibited areas
• Helmets
• Riding and mobile phones
• Equipment
• Crashes
• Other rules
• Carrying people
• Riding with a person in a personal mobility device trailer
• Carrying a load
• Towing
• Signaling when you change direction
• Performing a hook turn
• Bicycle hook turn storage box
• Keeping left and overtaking
• Riding on a separated path
• Riding in a bicycle lane on a road
• Riding across a road at a crossing
• Riding at bicycle crossing lights
• Riding to a bicycle storage area
• Riding too close to a vehicle
• Riding with care
• Being a traffic hazard
• Hiring a personal mobility device.
Here is a summary:
ELECTRIC BICYCLES
Pedal-assisted e-bikes:
Maximum continuous motor power: 250W (Except in NSW where it is 500W)
Speed limit for motor assistance: Motor must cut off at 25 km/h
Throttle use: Allowed if max speed is locked to 6 km/h for start aid
Pedal-assisted e-bikes in Australia can have a maximum continuous motor power of 250W, except in New South Wales, where the limit is 500W. The motor assistance must stop once the bike reaches 25 km/h. Contrary to common belief, these e-bikes can have a throttle, but it must be limited to a maximum speed of 6 km/h. The throttle can be used as a start aid, after which pedaling is required since the throttle turns off at 6 km/h.
Throttle-assisted e-bikes:
Maximum continuous motor power: 200W
Speed limit for motor assistance: Motor must cut off at 25 km/h
Throttle use: Allowed without pedaling above 6 km/h
For e-bikes operated primarily using a throttle without pedaling at speeds over 6 km/h, the maximum continuous motor power cannot exceed 200W. The motor assistance must turn off at 25 km/h. However, due to the limited power, 200W e-bikes struggle to climb average hills and are rarely produced.
Powered Assisted Bicycles – classified as bicycles
• Bicycle with one or more auxiliary motors which has combined maximum ungoverned continuous rated power output not exceeding 200W.
• Electric powered-assisted cycle (EPAC) with electric motor that has maximum continued rated power of 250W. The power-assistance progressively reduces as the speed increases and cuts off once a top speed of 25km/h is reached. EPACs require the rider to pedal to access the power (formally known as a Pedalec).
o Must comply with European Standard (EN15194) with permanent marking
o The rider must pedal
o Motor may operate without pedalling up to 6km/h
NOT Powered Assisted Bicycle
• Motor is not an auxiliary source of power (rider must still be able to propel the bicycle via pedals without the motor operating).
• Motor’s power output exceeds 200W
• Classified as motorcycles requiring registration and a licensed rider if:
o Bicycle with petrol-powered motor attached
o EPAC has been modified:
? to allow more than 250W to be produced;
? to exceed 25km/h assisted speed
o High powered motorised bicycles designed for off-road use, typically exceed 200W
ELECTRIC L-SCOOTERS / E-SCOOTERS
AKA Personal Mobility Devices
o 16+ years of age
o 12+ years of age and supervised by an adult
o Single use only
o Maximum weight 60kg
o Give way and keep left
? Foothpaths 12km/h
? Shared paths 12km/h
? Separated paths 25km/h
? Bicycle paths 25km/h
o Road riding:
? Bikes lanes on 50km/h roads – 25km/h
? Bike lane separated from traffic – 25km/h
? Local streets with 50km/h – 25km/h
o Must wear a helmet
o Must not hold or use mobile phones; can be used attached to scooter for GPS
o Must have lights at night
Scooter Style and Noosa Motorcycles based in 16 Rene Street Noosaville are a Retailer for Benzina Zero Electric Scooters and PMDs
Here is our current Selection of PMDs we offer:
Benzina Zero Electric eScooters V-10 and V-50
For more info and up to date information, Please also refer to Qld Gov Street Smart Website HERE
If you are also considering a Road Scooter to ride on your Open / C-Class driver’s car license, Here is a selection of the brands we offer that are 50cc and under.
See our 50cc scooter options.
Scooter Style Moped or 50cc Scooters to ride on your C-Class driver’s license:
If you have a LAMS-approved or Unrestricted Motorcycle license and you are looking for a faster more powerful engine. View our range of 125cc, 150cc, 200cc, 250cc, 300cc, 350cc, 400cc, 550cc and 650cc across our Brands: Vespa, Piaggio, Peugeot, SYM, Kymco, Italjet, Super Soco, Benzina Zero and Royal Enfield Motorcycles
Last updated July 2024
For more information and updates on licencing laws for Road bikes Please refer to:
