{"id":62945,"date":"2026-08-01T12:48:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T12:48:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/62945\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T12:48:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T12:48:42","slug":"aussie-dads-700-e-bike-fine-sparks-fury-punishment-does-not-fit-the-crime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/62945\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie dad’s $700 e-bike fine sparks fury: ‘Punishment does not fit the crime’"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Aussie electric vehicle<\/a> advocate has hit out at Queensland’s “draconian” crackdown<\/a> after his mate was fined almost $700 while riding his e-bike with his son.<\/p>\n

Brendan Lang,<\/a> said his mate Mitch was riding along a Brisbane bike path when he was stopped by police<\/a> and issued a fine of about $700 because his e-bike was not fitted with a speed limiter, making it non-compliant under Queensland’s ‘nation-leading’ laws.<\/p>\n

He said Mitch was riding at the correct speed<\/a>, wearing a helmet and not riding dangerously, but was still hit with the hefty penalty.<\/p>\n

He believes the punishment was excessive and that authorities are targeting<\/a> the wrong people.<\/p>\n

“The punishment does not fit the crime,” Brendan, an electrician and renewable energy advocate, told Yahoo News.<\/p>\n

“It’s the equivalent of a fine for running a red light just to be riding that bike under the speed limit, safely wearing a helmet.”<\/p>\n

From July 1, bikes capable of travelling more than 25km\/h without rider input are banned from public use. When riding on a shared path or footpath, the e-bike speed limit is 12km\/h. You can only carry passengers if the bike is designed for it.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Mitch and his child were riding a Sun Chaser Family Cargo e-bike before police pulled him aside. Source: Sun Chaser EBikes<\/p>\n

Queensland’s nation-leading e-bike laws<\/p>\n

Queensland’s tougher e-mobility laws<\/a> came into effect on July 1, giving police new powers to crack down on illegal and high-powered e-bikes and e-scooters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The reforms include powers to seize illegal devices, increased penalties for a range of offences and restrictions on devices capable of travelling faster than 25km\/h under motor power.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The next stage of the reforms begins on August 31, when riders aged 16 and over will need to hold a valid driver’s licence, including a learner licence, unless exempt.<\/p>\n

Cost-of-living commuters caught up in crackdown<\/p>\n

Brendan argues the focus should be on importers and retailers selling non-compliant bikes, rather than on everyday riders who may not realise their bikes breach the rules.<\/p>\n

“Consumers are often not technically abreast of these things,” he explained.<\/p>\n

“They might have heard about it in the news, and they might not even know that their bike has been impacted by that.”<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Police<\/p>\n

Queensland’s tougher e-mobility laws came into effect on July 1. Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

He said many Aussies were turning to e-bikes as a cheaper way to travel, helping families reduce reliance on cars during the cost-of-living crunch.<\/p>\n

“It’s taking a car off the road, so it’s relieving congestion.<\/p>\n

“It’s active transport, so it’s improving the quality of life of the users of the bikes.”<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/p>\n

\"Brendan<\/p>\n

Brendan Lang said that many Aussies were turning to e-bikes as a cheaper way to travel. Source: Supplied<\/p>\n

Father of two shocked by steep fine<\/p>\n

Brendan said Mitch had decided not to fight the fine because he had a young family and did not want to spend time challenging the penalty.<\/p>\n

Instead, he paid the fine and moved on, despite believing he should have received a warning first.<\/p>\n

“He actually thought he would just get a talking to and have a slap on the wrist once he was told that his bike was illegal,” Brendan said.<\/p>\n

Brendan said police should focus on riders using illegally modified bikes dangerously, rather than on people simply trying to commute across town.<\/p>\n

“They’re not doing a mono or riding on the road at 80 kilometres an hour, they’re just trying to get from place A to place B.”<\/p>\n

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