Australia is confronting a growing safety challenge on its streets and shared paths as electric bicycles (e-bikes) and electric scooters (e-scooters) surge in popularity, so too have injuries and public concerns. This has sparked a significant policy debate: should children under 16 be banned from riding motorised e-devices? Recent developments suggest many Australian jurisdictions are moving in that direction, with implications for road safety, transport policy, families and micromobility industries. According to E-bike Update lows 2026 Australia is not banning under-16 e-bike use nationwide in 2026, but some states are moving toward age restrictions. laws are becoming much stricter on high-powered and modified e-bikes
What’s Being Proposed?
A major parliamentary inquiry in Queensland — the state with one of Australia’s highest rates of e-scooter and e-bike-related injuries — is expected to recommend banning children under 16 from riding e-bikes and e-scooters altogether. It may also propose that anyone aged 16 and over must hold at least a learner driver’s licence to operate them legally. Currently, Queensland’s rules say:
- Children aged 11 and under are already not allowed to ride e-scooters and similar devices.
- Those aged 12–15 can ride if supervised by an adult.
- Riders aged 16 and over can ride without supervision.
- The inquiry’s proposed ban would entirely eliminate the supervised allowance and set a firm minimum age of 16 for all riders.
In New South Wales (NSW), there is no current legal minimum age for riding an e-bike — meaning technically children of any age could use one under the existing road rules. However, a government review led by Transport for NSW is actively considering a minimum age requirement somewhere between 12 and 16, consulting with child safety experts and parents before a final decision.Western Australia already enforces a 16+ minimum age, with fines for underage riders.
In South Australia, personal mobility devices including e-scooters are allowed on roads and paths only for riders aged 16 and older, complete with helmet requirements and regulated use conditions.
Separately, Western Australia’s public schools have already moved to ban e-rideables among students under 16 on school property, aligning policy with the state’s broader safety regime.
Why the Push to Scooter/Bike Ban Under-16s?
The proposals are driven largely by safety concerns — hospitals and emergency units have reported a sharp rise in injuries involving e-scooters and e-bikes, especially among children and teenagers.
In Queensland alone, reported e-scooter injuries climbed from 1,626 in 2024 to 2,000 in 2025, with eight fatalities reported in 2025 — a third of which occurred in the state. Specialists note younger riders have a higher tendency to underestimate the risks and lack the skills to manage motorised speed and traffic dynamics.
Many community voices are also focused on behavioural issues, including incidents of reckless riding by teenage groups weaving through streets and paths, sometimes approaching speeds normally associated with motor vehicles. Reports from Adelaide, NSW and other cities highlight complaints of unsafe e-bike use and collisions, further fuelling calls for tougher rules.
Australia’s E-Bike Boom: Market Growth, Teen Safety Risks and What Needs to Change
What Do the Current Australian Laws Actually Say?
Australia’s regulatory framework for e-bikes and e-scooters is non-uniform — rules vary by state and by device type.
Federal import standards are being tightened to align with European norms (e.g., a maximum motor assist of 25km/h and a 250-watt power limit), primarily to reduce the number of over-powered machines on roads
However, e-bike road rules by Australian government such as who can ride and where — are set by individual states and territories. For example:
- South Australia: E-scooters and e-rideables are legal only for riders 16+, with helmets and safety gear required.
- NSW: Currently no minimum age, though reform is underway.
- Queensland: Under 12s banned entirely; 12–15 may ride supervised; 16+ ride independently. Proposed reforms could scrap the supervised category.
- How Will a Ban Impact Safety and Society?
- Public Safety Improvements — Likely but Uneven
Supporters argue a ban could reduce injuries and deaths among younger Australians. Setting a clear age limit creates legal clarity and gives police and parents a straightforward rule to enforce. - Backlash from Cyclists and Transport Advocates
Not all stakeholders agree. Organisations like Bicycle Queensland warn that blanket bans and licensing requirements might undermine cycling and micromobility adoption, making these environmentally friendly modes harder to use in everyday life. - Practical Enforcement Challenges
With millions of e-device users and many in informal settings (e.g., private paths, neighbourhood streets), enforcement could be tricky. Critics also note that existing issues often stem from illegal or modified machines, not necessarily age alone. - Parental Guidance and Education
A ban could push more weight onto parents — expect campaigns to emphasise supervision, helmet use and legal compliance as alternatives to outright prohibition. - Industry and Retail Impact
Retailers could see a shift in demand, particularly for kids’ models. Stricter laws may discourage purchase of high-powered devices marketed to teens.
What’s Next?
Queensland’s inquiry report is due soon, with the state government having three months to respond once it’s released. Similar reviews in NSW and moves in WA and SA suggest this isn’t an isolated conversation — national momentum is building toward stricter age rules for e-mobility devices.
The discussion now largely balances safety data and community concerns with questions about individual freedom, transport trends and effective policy design. As electric transport becomes more embedded in daily life, lawmakers are tasked with ensuring that innovation does not come at the cost of avoidable harm.
