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Queensland Bans Under-16s from E-Scooters, E-Bikes in Safety Crackdown

The Queensland state government will ban children under 16 from riding electric scooters and bicycles as part of sweeping new safety laws. The reforms, following a parliamentary inquiry, will also require riders to hold at least a learner driver's license to ensure knowledge of road rules. The move comes after 12 fatalities and over 6,300 injuries in e-mobility incidents in the state during 2025. The laws introduce footpath speed limits and grant police new powers to seize illegal devices and conduct breath tests.

Key Points: Queensland Bans Under-16s from E-Scooters & E-Bikes

  • Under-16 ban on e-scooters/e-bikes
  • Rider must hold learner's license (min. age 16)
  • 10 km/h speed limit on footpaths
  • 12 deaths, 6,300 injuries in 2025
2 min read

Australian state to ban under-16s from riding electric mobility devices

New Queensland laws ban under-16s from e-scooters & e-bikes, require a learner's license, and impose speed limits after a deadly year of incidents.

"We are banning under-16s from these devices because the safety of kids is paramount. - Brent Mickelberg"

Sydney, March 24

Children younger than 16 will be banned from riding electric mobility devices in the Australian state of Queensland under new safety laws announced on Tuesday.

Queensland's state government said on Tuesday that it has accepted, or accepted in principle, all 28 recommendations made by a parliamentary inquiry into e-mobility safety, including the under-16 ban.

Brent Mickelberg, Queensland's minister for transport, said in a statement that the government will introduce nation-leading reforms to parliament within days to legislate the inquiry's recommendations.

Under the new laws, e-bike and e-scooter riders will be required to at least hold a Queensland learner driver's license, the minimum age for which is 16, to ensure they have knowledge of road rules.

The parliamentary inquiry found that 12 people were killed and 6,300 were injured in e-mobility-related incidents in Queensland in 2025.

"We are banning under-16s from these devices because the safety of kids is paramount," Mickelberg said on Tuesday.

The new laws will also introduce speed limits of 10 km per hour for e-mobility devices on footpaths and grant police additional powers to seize and destroy illegal devices and subject riders to random breath tests, Xinhua news agency reported.

Last year, Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s came into effect, with 10 major platforms-including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X-required to prevent them from holding accounts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the government made the change to support children who have grown up with algorithms, endless social media feeds, and the pressure they bring. He also encouraged students to make the most of their school holidays rather than spending all their time scrolling on their phones.

Australia's teen social media ban had drawn significant international interest, with countries including Denmark, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia, and New Zealand reportedly considering similar measures.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting to see Australia taking such proactive steps, first social media and now this. The statistics of 12 deaths and 6300 injuries are quite alarming. Hope Indian policymakers are paying attention to such data-driven decisions.
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Aman W
While safety is important, a blanket ban for under-16s feels a bit heavy-handed. What about responsible 14 or 15-year-olds? Maybe a training and certification program would be better. Complete bans often don't work well in the Indian context either.
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Sarah B
The speed limit of 10 km/h on footpaths is a very good idea. In our Bangalore apartment complex, these things are a menace near the playground. Parents need to be more aware of the risks.
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Vikram M
Linking it to a learner's license for road rule knowledge is smart. In India, the problem is often a lack of dedicated infrastructure. Where should these e-scooters even go? On roads with cars or on footpaths with pedestrians? That's the bigger question for us.
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Kavya N
First social media, now e-scooters. Australia is really focusing on child safety this decade. As an Indian parent, I appreciate this. We need to balance technology and fun with real-world safety. Our kids are already on screens too much; some outdoor activity rules are welcome.

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