Queensland e-bike Laws - Overview
Queensland changed its e-bike laws in 2026, and there is a fair bit to take in. This page sets out what applies, in plain terms, so you know where your group stands before you book.
The short version. On roads and paths, a rider needs to be at least 16 and hold a drivers licence, and an interstate or overseas licence counts. On our guided mountain bike tours, neither the licence requirement nor any minimum age applies. Every bike we supply is compliant with Queensland legislation and the applicable Australian standards.
Two of our guided mountain bike tours run in designated recreational areas that are exempt from licence and age requirements:
There is a lot of detail in the new rules. Tell us the ages in your group and who holds a licence when you enquire, and we are happy to help you work out which tours suit. We would much rather sort that out at booking than on the morning.
The questions below cover the detail. For the latest official information see the Queensland Government e-bike rules, or contact us to talk through options for your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
On roads, paths and public places, yes. Since 31 August 2026 a rider must be at least 16 and hold a valid Queensland or non-Queensland drivers licence, minimum Learner. Interstate and overseas licences both count, so visitors are covered by their licence from home. A licence that has expired or been cancelled or suspended is not valid, and nor is one held by someone disqualified from holding a licence.
There is an important exception. On many signed mountain bike trails, rail trails and commercial bike parks, the licence requirement and the minimum age of 16 do not apply at all. Two of our guided tours run in those areas, so if you do not hold a licence there are still tours you can legally ride.
Our two guided mountain bike tours run in designated recreational areas that are exempt from licence and age requirements:
You still wear a helmet and still follow the Queensland road rules on those trails. Every other tour we run uses roads, paths or the beach, where the licence and age requirements do apply.
That is fine. The requirement in the legislation is that you hold a valid drivers licence, and you declare that you hold one when you book. A valid licence is one that has not expired, has not been cancelled or suspended, and where you are not disqualified from holding a licence. Where a declaration seems unreasonable to rely on, we may ask for evidence of age or licence before you ride.
Because we are required to take reasonable steps to make sure every rider meets the legal requirements, and your declaration is how we do that. It also means we can tell you before you pay if a tour will not work for your group, rather than on the morning.
The age and licence requirements are real and we apply them. The normal way we meet them is your declaration when you book, which is the method the legislation provides for. Where a declaration seems unreasonable to rely on, we may ask for evidence of age or licence before you ride. If we cannot confirm it, that rider moves to a supervised option, a passenger seat or a non-assisted bike rather than riding alone. We will tell you at booking if that is likely to apply to your group, so nothing is a surprise on the morning.
Yes, in two ways. On our two guided trail tours above, the licence and minimum age rules do not apply, so they can ride without a licence. On our road and path based tours, a 12 to 17 year old can ride under the supervision of a parent, grandparent or legal guardian, who needs to be riding with them and close enough to give them instructions. A guide cannot take that role, which is why we only take under 18s with a parent or guardian on the tour.
Yes, though not every trail qualifies. Queensland exempts signed mountain bike trails, signed rail trails and commercial bike parks. A mountain bike trail has to meet the Government’s criteria, including sitting on eligible public land and being signposted as a mountain bike trail, so many trails are covered and some are not. The Noosa Biosphere Trail Network is named on the Queensland Government list of these areas. On those trails you still wear a helmet and still follow the road rules, but you do not need a licence, and neither the minimum age of 16 nor any other minimum age applies.
The beach is not an exempt area. Queensland road rules apply on the beach, so our fat bike beach riders do need to be 16 and licensed, or be a 12 to 17 year old riding with a parent or guardian. Children under 12 can still come along in a passenger seat.
On roads, paths and the beach, children under 12 cannot ride an electric bike. On our guided trail tours there is no minimum age from the licensing rules, so the limit there is bike sizing and ability rather than the law, and we will talk it through with you.
On roads, paths and the beach, younger children up to 40kg can travel as a pillion passenger on selected bikes built to carry one, wearing a helmet. Children of any age can ride a conventional non-electric bicycle, which these rules do not cover, and selected tours can be run that way. Alternitavly Our kayak tours have no licence or minimum age requirement at all, with infants free and a child rate from 4 to 12.
No. A child suitable to ride on a pillion seat rides free. They do take a place in the group, so please make notes of the rider in the booking notes
Yes. Every rider and every passenger wears an approved helmet, correctly fastened. We provide them.
Legal e-bikes can be ridden anywhere a bicycle can be ridden, including roads, bike lanes, shared paths and dedicated cycling infrastructure, unless signs say otherwise. You cannot ride on motorways or where no bicycle signs are installed.
Motor assistance cuts out at 25km/h. The maximum speed on footpaths is 12km/h, and on shared paths you must slow to 12km/h when passing pedestrians. Signed speed limits apply, and you need to ride with due care around other path users at all times.
Approved bicycle helmets must be worn at all times and fastened under the chin. You must not use a hand-held mobile phone while riding, although a phone mounted for navigation is fine. You must not ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Passengers can only be carried on bikes specifically designed to carry them.
Queensland has an exemption for people aged 16 and over who cannot hold or obtain a licence because of a medical condition or a physical or mental incapacity. It is applied for through Queensland Transport and a health practitioner signs the certificate. The regulation requires you to carry the certificate while riding, to comply with any conditions stated on it, and to produce it to an authorised officer if asked. Bring it with you and tell us when you book.
Yes, if it is road legal: pedals, a motor of no more than 250 watts continuous rated power, and assistance cutting out at 25km/h. Separately, e-bikes made before 1 July 2026 that do not meet the EN 15194 standard can be used until 28 February 2027, after which they need a verification label under the Queensland E-Bike Assurance Scheme. If your bike already meets EN 15194, nothing is needed. That scheme is still being set up, so check the Queensland Government page for current arrangements.
Please note. This page is a plain-English summary of the Queensland rules as we understand them, and it is not legal advice. The rules change, and whether a particular place or situation is covered can depend on detail we do not have. If you are unsure, check the Queensland Government’s StreetSmarts e-bike guidance or contact Transport and Main Roads.
