Queensland Law Society has welcomed wide‑ranging recommendations from a parliamentary committee on proposed e‑mobility laws, but says further consultation is needed before the reforms are finalised.
Following submissions and public hearings regarding the Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026, significant amendments have been proposed for the Bill.
QLS President Peter Jolly said the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee’s work, particularly through its engagement with community, had the potential to significantly improve the Bill.
“The committee’s engagement with community feedback, particularly from the disability sector, resulted in recommendations that should lead to better outcomes,” Mr Jolly said.
But Mr Jolly said the scale and complexity of the proposed changes warranted another round of public consultation.
“Given the scope of the recommended amendments, further public consultation on the revised Bill would help ensure the reforms are practical, balanced and effective.”
The proposed reforms will reshape how e-scooters and e-bikes are used across Queensland, with changes affecting safety rules, speed limits, device standards and who can legally ride them.
The Bill’s introduction followed the committee’s earlier inquiry into e-mobility safety and use in Queensland, which started in May 2025 and tabled its report on 4 March 2026.
Mr Jolly said the parliamentary inquiry into the Bill highlighted just how much community interest, and concern, surrounded the issue.
“The level of engagement in this inquiry highlights the importance of getting these reforms right,” he said.
The changes could affect thousands of Queensland riders, particularly people who rely on adaptive e-mobility devices such as e-trikes for independence and daily transport.
The Society said several of the committee’s recommendations aligned closely with concerns it raised during the inquiry, particularly around ensuring the laws strike the right balance between safety and accessibility.
And while the direction of reform was encouraging, Mr Jolly stressed the importance of continuing targeted consultation with those most affected.
“We continue to support engagement with people with disability, advocates and others with lived experience to address the complexities of this reform,” he said.
In several key areas, the committee’s recommendations closely reflected concerns raised by the Law Society during the inquiry:
| Recommendation | What QLS Submitted | What the Committee Recommended |
| Rec 2: Standards | QLS warned referencing the latest EN 15194 version could exclude many existing e-bikes and recommended referencing the standard broadly to allow future updates | Allow compliance with the EN 15194 version in place at the time of manufacture and include an appropriate standard for compliant e-cargo bikes |
| Rec 3: Exemptions | QLS highlighted that users of e-trikes, recumbents and adaptive devices may be unfairly excluded and subjected to the additional burden of obtaining a ‘special circumstances permit’ | Investigate exemption mechanisms for devices that don’t fully meet EN 15194 but meet key safety criteria |
| Rec 5: Licensing exemptions | QLS warned licensing requirements could create barriers for people with disability and called for exemptions to avoid discriminatory impacts | Develop an exemption framework for individuals unable to obtain a driver licence but capable of safely riding e-mobility devices |
| Rec 6: Speed limits | QLS raised concerns that strict speed limits could be impractical and push e-bicycle riders onto unsafe roads lacking infrastructure | Introduce 10km/h limits in high pedestrian areas with clearer definitions, and nuanced limits on shared paths. |
| Rec 9: Review and liability | QLS raised concerns about reverse-onus parental liability provisions | Review regulatory changes after 12 months, but retain the parental responsibility framework |
State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee chair Jim McDonald said in the report’s foreword that the Bill represented a significant overhaul, making the inquiry a critical opportunity to “get this much-needed reset right”.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the 3030 individuals and organisations who made submissions to the inquiry and those who gave evidence at the public hearings for their valuable contributions,” he said.
“The large volume of submissions sends a clear message as to the importance of this inquiry.”
The Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament in early June, with amendments likely to be introduced given the scope of the committee’s recommendations.
It is unclear if further consultation will occur before the reforms are finalised.
The Society’s submission can be found here.
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