By Robyn Wuth and Tom Wark in Sydney

A national crackdown on electric bikes has gathered speed as multiple states slam the brakes on illegal, high-powered mobility devices amid safety concerns.

Queensland has become the latest government to rein in e‑scooters and e‑bikes, banning children aged under 16 from using the devices under what’s been called nation-leading laws.

In reforms to be introduced in parliament this week, riders over 16 must be medically fit to drive and hold at least a learner’s licence.

Queensland Police will be granted more powers to randomly breath test riders, and seize and destroy illegally used devices.

Parents will be held liable if they allow underage children to ride, while retailers and shared‑scheme operators face fines if they enable unlawful use.

A 10km/h speed limit will also apply on shared footpaths to better protect pedestrians.

A six‑month transition period will allow some devices to be made compliant, but most are already illegal.

“There will be penalties for riders of all ages that will be tough but fair,” Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said on Tuesday.

“This is about protecting community safety – we want to facilitate the legal and safe use of e‑mobility devices, while cracking down on unsafe and illegal use.”

In Queensland alone, more than 6000 hospitalisations were linked to e‑mobility devices between 2022 and 2025.

Queensland is the latest to crackdown on e-bikes after Western Australia and Tasmania placed restrictions on under 16s using the devices, with NSW currently weighing up an age limit.

Police and transport officers would be given new powers to seize illegal e-bikes to be crushed under legislation introduced to NSW Parliament on Tuesday.

If an e-bike is performing like a conventional motorbike in terms of power or speed, then it could be destroyed under the laws, which mirror those in place in WA, the government says.

“We don’t want to discourage safe and healthy e-bike use, but we do want to discourage dangerous and illegal e-motorbike use,” NSW Transport Minister John Graham said.

“This legislation gives police and transport officers the powers they need to efficiently and permanently remove these devices from our streets.”

NSW will become the first state to roll out roadside “dyno units”, which measure whether an e-bike can go faster than the 25km/h speed limit.

The new crushing powers would apply to all devices that breach the standards, even if bought in error, Mr Graham said.

The legislative crackdown aligns with a heavier police response to dangerous e-bike use on the state’s roads.

Fines were issued to 170 people in Sydney over two days last week as NSW Police carried out a compliance operation focused on schools, business districts and beaches.

Five riders tested positive for drugs and 21 traffic charges were laid during the operation, the state highway patrol commander said.

“While e-bikes are a great mode of transport when ridden safely … police have seen an increase in illegal or anti-social e-bike rider behaviour,” Superintendent Anthony Boyd said.

E-bikes were involved in the deaths of a dozen people in 2025, including several children.

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