3 days ago May 8, 2026eastbug

eBikes and the Stafford By-Election

With a by-election coming up in the inner-northern electorate of Stafford on 16th May, we’ve written to each of the candidates asking their position on the Queensland Government’s proposed changes to e-mobility laws, particularly age limits, speed limits and licensing requirements for people riding e-bikes.

Space for Cycling Brisbane is not politically aligned; our interest is in better active transport for Brisbane. We sent the same email to each of the candidates, and have published their responses below. Thank you to those who have taken the time to respond so far:

Luke Richmond, Australian Labor Party

Thank you for your continued advocacy on progressing a better, more accessible active transport network for all those who need it.

It is clear from the concerns raised by you, and the outcry from other industry stakeholders, that the Crisafulli LNP Government has gone too far with their proposed e-mobility laws.

While we need to give Queensland Police the power to stamp out bad behaviour, hooning and illegal e-bike use, the proposed Bill instead makes riding more unsafe and would disadvantage those who rely on active transport modes to stay connected.

That’s why the Bill in its current form cannot be supported. If I’m privileged to have the people of Stafford choose me to represent them in Parliament, I will be using my vote to send that message to the Crisafulli LNP Government.

Thank you again for the work that you do in our community, and across Brisbane.

Kind regards,
Luke Richmond
Labor candidate for Stafford

Jacqueline Verne, Legalise Cannabis Queensland Party

Thank you for the opportunity to provide my position on the proposed e-mobility reforms.

My position is simple: safety matters, but regulation must be proportionate, evidence-based and practical.

E-bikes and other e-mobility devices are now a legitimate part of Queensland’s transport system. For many people, they are an affordable and practical way to get to work, school and services.

On the proposed reforms:

Minimum rider age of 16
I do not support a blanket minimum age of 16 across all e-mobility devices. Pedal-assist e-bikes are not motor vehicles, and many young people already use bicycles safely for transport. Restrictions should be based on risk, not broad assumptions.

Licence requirements
I do not support requiring a driver’s licence to ride an e-bike. Access to transport should not depend on holding a licence, particularly for young people, lower-income Queenslanders, and those who do not drive. If a device is not a motor vehicle, it should not be regulated as one.

10 km/h speed limits on footpaths and shared paths
Safety in shared spaces is important, but a blanket 10 km/h limit risks being impractical and undermining active transport. Speed rules should reflect context, with higher pedestrian areas managed differently to dedicated shared corridors.

More broadly, I support reform focused on education, infrastructure, clear device classifications, and enforcement against unsafe behaviour.

If government proposes tighter restrictions, Queenslanders deserve to see the evidence those changes will improve safety.

Good policy should reduce harm without creating unnecessary barriers to safe, affordable transport.

Thank you again for the opportunity to respond.

Kind regards,
Jacqueline Verne

Damian Smart, Independent

I strongly support cycling and e-bikes as excellent options for active transport in Brisbane. At the same time, I believe in clear accountability for any damage, harm or lawlessness on our roads and paths, no matter the mode of transport.

The difficulty, no doubt (not my area of expertise other than having had teenaged boys), is in the proliferation of high powered e-moto bikes (mostly without pedals but some with pedals) that can accelerate and travel up to 120kmh.

My position on the proposed e-mobility laws:

I would support the minimum rider age of 16 for e-bikes that were not speed limited.

I am mixed on the requirement to hold a valid driver’s licence (including learner), and believe another option should be considered such as a youth rider license for 12+yo.

I support the 10 km/h speed limit on footpaths and shared paths but do not support a wholesale ban on more powerful bikes.

    I see a better option is parental education and a register of high powered e cycles, solely from a liability management perspective rather than a compliance and restriction angle.

    I also believe we need more dedicated cycleways (as opposed to riskier and more vexed sharing of already congested roadways)

    I note that there are many offroad motox riders who I am aware are unhappy with the lax approach to powerful motox like e motorbikes, as many of them grew up trailering their bikes to purpose built facilities and they actively liaise with government (I have friends in this space and they have strong opinions in this regard)

    These measures strike a fair balance between encouraging e-mobility and keeping everyone safe.

    Given it’s not my area of expertise, if elected, my position is always to approach these areas with caution to understand all sides.

    Kind regards,
    Damian
    Independent: Smart In Stafford

    Daniel Selff, Libertarians

    Thanks for your questions regarding my position on the Queensland Government’s proposed changes to e-mobility laws.

    1) A minimum rider age of 16 for e-bikes and other e-mobility device

    I’m generally not in favour of increasing regulation, however in this case I believe the LNP’s stance of raising the minimum age to 16 is appropriate

    2) A requirement for riders to hold a valid driver’s licence (including at least a learner licence)

    I’m against the requirement for riders to hold a valid licence (the age requirement would be enough)

    3) A reduction in speed limits to 10 km/h on footpaths and shared paths

    Pedestrians should have priority on shared footpaths, otherwise e-bikes/scooters should be subject to the same rules as regular bikes and scooters

    Regards,
    Daniel Selff
    Libertarian Candidate for Stafford

    Lucy O’Brien, Animal Justice Party

    I, along with many of my friends and family, truly appreciate the advocacy work done by Space for Cycling Brisbane. My partner commutes by bicycle daily so I am regularly being educated about cyclist needs in Brisbane. My parents both ride e-bikes, and I own one too (but I don’t use it regularly enough!).

    I’m grateful to you for providing me the opportunity to share views based on the Animal Justice Party values of kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence.

    These are my positions on the Queensland Government’s proposed changes to e-mobility laws:

    1) A minimum rider age of 16 for e-bikes and other e-mobility device:

    Not supported

    There is insufficient evidence to support 250W pedal-assist e-bicycles or 25km/h limited e-scooters used for school commutes are responsible for the surge in injuries. There is significant evidence that illegal use of high-powered e-motorbikes from youth riding in the afternoon and weekend have contributed to severe injuries. A key root cause of the injuries is not age but the use of high-powered e-motorbikes. Addressing the root cause is the most effective way of preventing over-representation of youth injuries. Introducing an age limit will likely lead to increased congestion and higher likelihood of car-related risks in school zones while also reducing physical activity and independence of youth.

    2) A requirement for riders to hold a valid driver’s licence (including at least a learner licence):

    Not supported

    A valid driver’s licence is used to assess the ability to drive a car not an e-mobility device. It does not assess bike-specific safety or path etiquette.

    There are also hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders over 16 without a valid driver’s licence for various reasons such as people who can safely ride but cannot pass a driving medical (e.g. epilepsy), low-income individuals, seniors and people who prioritise active transport for the health and environmental benefits. Applying an arbitrary barrier to e-mobility does not improve safety and instead promotes negative impacts such as transport lockout and indirect discrimination.

    3) A reduction in speed limits to 10 km/h on footpaths and shared paths:

    Not supported

    The 10 km/h limit is counterproductive. It forces riders below the threshold of stability (~11 km/h), making bikes harder to control and less predictable for pedestrians. Without calibrated speedometers riders must focus on compliance rather than hazard awareness.

    It also creates a regulatory inconsistency where manual cyclists may stay at 25 km/h while e-bikes are restricted to a jogging pace. This forces commuters off protected paths and into using roads with 60 km/h traffic, exposing them and others to far greater risks than the bill intends to mitigate.

    Thank you again for the opportunity to answer these questions. Best of luck.

    Kind regards,
    Lucy O’Brien
    AJP Candidate for Stafford

    Alan Denaro, Family First

    Your email does not advise your default postion but that does not matter.

    I am generally aware but not up on all the detail.

    I have observed teenagers on E-Mobility and have grave fears for their life.

    The acceleration speed is a danger to themselves and others. If young folk under 16 are not mature enough for social media then E-Mobility is out.

    Drivers license would be related to their power. The footpath is for pedestrians and I respect that on many roads, that is safer so the speed limit probably should be 10k.

    My youngest is now 29 but roll back 15 years, NO, as a responsible parent, I would NOT buy them an E-Bike or E anything.

    A teanager can get into plenty of injuries on their own. Best a loving parent does not wish to outlive their own children.

    Alan Denaro
    Family First Stafford.