Police operation to enforce new e-bike and e-scooter laws includes hefty fines
Shire transport
A new statewide police operation to crack down on illegal e-bike and e-scooter riders has been launched in coordination with tougher road rules introduced this week, including random breath testing and speed-limit checks.
Queensland police describe the month-long Operation Yankee Surety as a “coordinated statewide policing operation focused on enforcing e-mobility laws and addressing unsafe rider behaviours”.
Police Emergency Response and Coordination Command Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said there had been a rapid rise in the use of e-mobility devices across Queensland.
“We want all riders to understand that rules exist for a reason, and dangerous behaviours and non-compliant devices place not just the rider, but the entire community, at risk of tragic crashes, injuries and death,” Assistant Commissioner Wildman said.
“Our message is simple - ride legally, wear a helmet, know the rules and make smart decisions.”
As part of this month’s operation, police said they intended to conduct roadside breath testing of e-device riders, seize non-compliant devices, fine parents and guardians of under-16s breaking the law and fine speeding riders.
A fine of $518 can now be issued for not wearing a helmet, while riders who blow more than 0.05 can be fined between $518 and $6908, depending on the severity of the blood-alcohol content, which may include a court appearance.
The fine for carrying a passenger illegally is $518, while the fine for holding a mobile phone will be $1295 - a phone mounted in a cradle on the handlebars is OK while riding.
The fine for parking an e-device where it is blocking a path, doorway, loading zone, taxi zone or bus stop is $172.
Devices ridden faster than 25km/h can now be seized - e-device engines are required by law to be restricted so they can’t go faster - and can be destroyed, with a fine of $621 included.
Speed limits of 12km/h will apply on footpaths and when riders are passing pedestrians on shared paths, with fines of between $345 and $1986 applying depending on the speed.
E-scooters, e-skateboards or e-unicycles can now be ridden at a maximum speed of 25km/h on 60km/h roads.
From the start of September, most e-riders must be 16 or older with a licence, but 12-17 year olds will be allowed to ride under parental supervision and there will be exemptions for medical conditions and disabilities.
From March next year, compliance labelling for e-bikes will be mandatory - e-bikes must have a label complying with the European standard for electrically power-assisted cycles, EN15194. A new assurance scheme will be established to certify and label e-bikes at 250 watts and a motor cut-off at 25km/h that do not meet the European standard.
Police said they issued more than 2600 traffic-infringement notices related to e-mobility usage across the state this year to June 19, including more than 1800 for not wearing a helmet, about 360 for riding on a prohibited road, and about 70 for speeding.