Pedal-assisted electric bikes are OK for Queensland footpaths – not ones powered just by a motor.
Changes to Queensland’s road rules clarify requirements for power-assisted bicycles following concerns illegal electric moped-like vehicles were being hired and sold on the Gold Coast as power-assisted bicycles
The changes which took effect from June 28 address these concerns, acting transport and main roads minister Steven Miles says.
“There have been a series of complaints on the Gold Coast about these high-powered mopeds putting pedestrians and riders at risk,” he says.
“It’s often tourists and visitors to the Gold Coast who hire these vehicles, so of course they can’t be expected to know that what they’re hiring is illegal.
“High-powered mopeds and motorcycle-like devices don’t belong on our footpaths, so what we’ve done is clarify our laws to better define what is legal and what isn’t when it comes to power-assisted bicycles.”
Miles says it’s now up to companies hiring out these vehicles to ensure their devices are legally allowed to be used on footpaths.
Queensland laws require a bike, including power-assisted ones, to use pedals as the primary source of power.
The electric motor or motors on those types of bikes are only meant to assist the rider to pedal.
“What police are seeing on the Gold Coast are mopeds that can travel up to 40km/h, completely under the power of the motor, with no pedalling needed,” Miles says.
“These changes make it clear that the motor on a bike cannot operate without the rider pedalling, except to help with initial take-off, up to 6km/h.
“The motor must cut out at 25km/h, with the rider able to pedal like a standard bike above this speed.”
Miles says there needed to be a clear distinction between pedal-operated devices and a throttle-operated moped or a motorcycle, which must be registered for road use.
“Advances in technology have led to an increasing range of electric transport options available on the market, so it’s important riders take the time to understand the requirements and rules for their device.”
Updated legislation for power-assisted bicycles was developed in consultation with the Queensland Police Service, the Office of Fair Trading, industry groups, bike riders, retailers and importers, as well as disability and aged groups.
