![\"bikes](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ce78650a975238e3e59f7f3aa202a1f9.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nA council crackdown against e-bikes on the Gold Coast was “not effective” with many underage riders ignoring or riding away from compliance officers.<\/p>\n
The City of Gold Coast prohibited e-bikes and other electric mobility devices from Pizzey Park and the Runaway Bay Sports Precinct over a four-week trial in March.<\/p>\n
There has been significant community concern over alleged anti-social behaviour from e-bike riders in recent years.<\/p>\n
A 13-year-old boy was charged on Friday with a string of offences at Runaway Bay.<\/p>\n
Police allege the boy and a group of teenagers riding non-compliant e-bikes damaged the precinct’s sporting fields and public toilets on May 14, with rocks allegedly thrown at police vehicles.<\/p>\n
The 13-year-old has been charged with serious assault police, dangerous operation of a vehicle, wilful damage, public nuisance, and other traffic-related offences.<\/p>\n
He is due to appear in Southport Childrens Court on May 27.<\/p>\n
Warnings issued, but no fines<\/p>\n
A report to the council’s Planning and Regulation Committee concluded that the trial crackdown on e-bikes had little impact, with state law reforms needed to address anti-social behaviour.<\/p>\n
Council officers observed 608 riders during March’s trial, with three safety incidents involving “abuse towards officers from large groups of underage riders”.<\/p>\n
Only 19 per cent of interactions were considered successful, with riders given “clear verbal education” or issued with warning cards.<\/p>\n
No fines were handed out, with “many riders repeat offending and avoiding interactions with officers”.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Many non-compliant e-motorbikes have been sold over the counter in Australia. (Supplied: Queensland Police)<\/p>\n
“It was unsafe for officers to pursue riders or step in front of moving objects to engage in a compliance interaction,” the report stated.<\/p>\n
“The key issue observed was large groups of underage riders riding illegal devices erratically in the park area and ignoring compliance officer direction.<\/p>\n
“These groups caused damage to the park and created safety risks for other park users.”<\/p>\n
The report found that more than 90 per cent of riders appeared to be under 18 years old, but that most were riding “in a safe manner”.<\/p>\n
The vast majority of interactions happened at Pizzey Park in Miami.<\/p>\n
The report also found CCTV monitoring was “not effective in deterring riders”.<\/p>\n
Council awaiting state laws<\/p>\n
A council survey of 275 people found 62 per cent felt safer during the trial, but that “objective data to quantify this feeling could not be obtained”.<\/p>\n
Extending the trial to 10 parks across the Gold Coast would cost $400,000 a year and would be “unlikely to represent value for money or effectively address the underlying issues”.<\/p>\n
The report has recommended council support Queensland Police, which is the lead agency responsible for enforcement, while the state government considers new e-mobility device legislation.<\/p>\n
“The proposed state government legislative reforms are expected to address the primary safety and compliance issues associated with e-mobility use, including clearer device definitions, enhanced [police] enforcement powers and stronger penalties,” the council report stated.<\/p>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778985188_708_1fbba02b1aaeb8c1008edcdd079455ab.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Pedal assisted e-bikes may face new restrictions under proposed Queensland laws. (612 ABC: Kenji Sato)<\/p>\n
Under the proposed laws, under-16s would be banned from using e-mobility devices like e-bikes, with all riders required to hold at least a learner’s permit.<\/p>\n
But earlier this month, a parliamentary inquiry committee recommended that people who cannot hold a licence but who can safely ride an e-mobility device be exempt<\/a> from the permit requirement.<\/p>\n It also recommended that a blanket 10km\/h speed limit only apply to high pedestrian zones and not shared paths, as was initially proposed.<\/p>\n Large groups of e-bike riders, many on dirt-bike style devices, have been seen riding the streets of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. (Supplied)<\/p>\n A 15km\/h speed limit could instead be applied on shared paths when riders were within 10 metres of a pedestrian.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/af83d40ccbc9bc96a43bf3b265348826.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n