With Christmas just around the corner, Brisbane’s busiest green spaces such as Roma Street Parkland and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens are already filling with locals and visitors making the most of the warmer weather. Among the crowds are growing numbers of riders on e-scooters and e-bikes, prompting Queensland to launch a renewed safety campaign urging people to take greater care when choosing and using these devices.
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The Know Your eRules campaign, led by the Transport and Main Roads Department, aims to remind Queenslanders about what is legal, what is not, and why responsible riding matters. The message is particularly timely during the festive season when e-mobility devices are often bought as Christmas gifts.
According to Queensland, there have been 18 e-scooter fatalities and several e-bike-related deaths in the state over the past three years. Emergency departments have also seen rising presentations linked to unsafe or illegal riding. Authorities say these incidents demonstrate that while e-scooters and e-bikes offer a fun and convenient way to get around, they come with responsibilities that cannot be ignored.
The campaign will roll out across Spotify, social media, bus shelters and other public advertising spaces over Christmas. Its primary focus is educating families, especially parents, about what is lawful on Queensland roads and shared paths. With an increasing number of young riders using e-mobility devices in public, the government is emphasising the importance of understanding device specifications, age limits and safety standards.
Under Queensland’s personal mobility device rules, riders must be at least 16 years old to use an e-scooter unsupervised. Children aged 12 to 15 may ride only with adult supervision. Children under 12 are not permitted to ride these devices at all. The rules also require every rider to wear a helmet, and doubling passengers on a single device is prohibited.
For e-bikes, any device with a motor output of more than 250 watts or capable of exceeding 25 km/h with motor power is considered illegal. Even models advertised with power-limiting features do not meet the legal standard if the underlying capability exceeds these limits. The government stresses that increased speed must come from pedal power, not the motor, and helmet use remains mandatory.
Queensland Police have reinforced that parents and carers share responsibility for ensuring their children follow the rules. Police will issue penalties to anyone who rides illegally, including parents who permit unsafe or unlawful use. Officers say that while e-scooters and e-bikes might seem like exciting gifts, buying one also means committing to supervising young riders and understanding the legal requirements.
Authorities are urging shoppers to research devices before purchasing and to ensure gifts include a helmet and clear guidance on safe riding. The government recommends parents visit the StreetSmarts website to check whether an e-scooter or e-bike meets legal standards and to access practical safety information.
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With Brisbane’s parks, bikeways and pathways expecting even more visitors during the holidays, officials hope the campaign will encourage riders to slow down, stay alert and keep themselves and others safe. The festive season is a time for families to relax and enjoy the city, and the government says responsible riding is key to making sure everyone gets home safely.
Published 5-December-2025
