Queensland Police are cracking down on e-bikes in the state, including banning riders under 16 and enforcing fines on their parents.
The state has launched an operational enforcement campaign of new legislation from Wednesday, enforcing harsher laws on electronic mobility devices including e-bikes and e-scooters.
Operation Yankee Surety will see the introduction of roadside breath testing for electronic mobility devices, the seizing of non-compliant devices and fines for parents of under 16s riding non-compliant vehicles.
Devices that travel faster than 25 km/h will be banned in Queensland.
E-bikes should have a motor limit of 25 km/h and will only be able to be ridden faster if powered by human pedal power.
This speed limit lowers to 12 km/h when on footpaths or shared paths.
Parents of any under-16s riding non-compliant devices will be fined on their behalf.
From August 1, these restrictions will tighten and riders will need to be 16 with a licence.
Emergency Response and Coordination Command Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said the police have one “simple” message.
“Our message is simple – ride legally, wear a helmet, know the rules and make smart decisions,” he said.
“By doing so, you’re protecting yourself and others on our roads and pathways.”
Mr Wildman said the state saw 12 lives lost thanks to e-mobility devices last year, with four already this year as well.
“Tragically, we have seen first-hand the devastating impact serious, traumatic and fatal e-mobility crashes can have on the community, and far too often these incidents are linked to preventable action,” he said.
Operation Yankee Surety follows previous operations from Queensland Police starting last year, which saw it hand out more than 2,600 traffic infringement notices to e-mobility users this year.
Queensland is not the only state taking action against the vehicles, with New South Wales announcing new rules on Tuesday to tackle the “wild west” of e-bikes.
The state announced more than $6 million in funding for councils to designate parking areas for shared-ride e-bikes, which often dangerously litter streets and paths.
The scheme will be paid for through a levy charged by shared ride apps on users at 60c per ride.
In March, NSW Premier Chris Minns introduced new legislation, giving powers to police to seize and destroy any illegal e-mobility devices.