Community Divided as Inquiry Gains Momentum

Calls for tighter regulation of electric bikes and scooters are growing louder in Queensland, with MP Hermann Vorster backing constituents who want to see riders registered and covered by compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance.

A recent parliamentary inquiry into e-bike safety launched last month has already attracted over 600 public submissions. Concerns range from dangerous riding habits to the need for speed regulation and clearer rider identification.

“We can’t tolerate a situation where kids are riding double-up, while popping a wheelie and overtaking cars,” said MP Hermann Vorster.

What’s Under Review?

The inquiry aims to strike a balance between two goals:

• Encouraging sustainable and active transport
• Ensuring safety for pedestrians, especially children and the elderly

Some community members are calling for a road rules test for young, unlicensed riders, as well as registration to help identify unsafe users. Others want to see more enforcement of existing speed limits and regulations.

What Local Councils Are Saying

Gold Coast Councillor Nick Marshall believes that regulation is on the horizon:

“The people I talk to in my community certainly think that’s really important, so people who do the wrong thing can be identified.”

Marshall also suggested practical solutions such as installing bollards and creating dedicated e-bike lanes to keep pedestrians and riders safely separated.

Cycling Groups Push Back

Not everyone supports the idea of registering e-bikes. Advocacy group Bicycle Queensland is firmly against additional regulation. Their interim CEO Liana Heath stated that many of the e-bikes attracting complaints are already illegal under existing laws.

“We are concerned about the rapid growth of illegal e-bikes, and the safety of riders and the public is our priority,” Heath said.

The group argues that the government should instead focus on enforcing current regulations and ensuring retailers sell compliant models.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Registration

Potential Advantages

• Improved accountability for dangerous riders
• Clear legal frameworks for insurance claims
• Safer roads and footpaths for pedestrians

Potential Disadvantages

• Could discourage active transport uptake
• Administrative burden for riders and government
• Added costs that may affect low-income users

What Happens Next?

The parliamentary inquiry is due to deliver its final report in March 2026. Until then, no legislative changes will be made. However, Queensland could become the first state in Australia to adopt a formal registration scheme for e-bikes and personal mobility devices.

Whatever the outcome, this review is likely to set a precedent for national policy debates around personal electric transport.

Where Do You Stand?

This is more than a local council issue—it’s a national conversation about how we move, how we live, and how we share our streets. Should we be protecting the growth of electric transport, or reigning it in with regulation?

We’d love to hear your thoughts: Should e-bike riders be registered and insured? Or is enforcement of current rules the better approach.