Queensland's Proposed E-Bike Crackdown Sparks Industry Backlash
Food delivery companies are strongly opposing Queensland's proposed crackdown on e-bikes, warning that the impact on the delivery community would be immense. Industry figures caution that the legislation could severely curtail services like Uber Eats and DoorDash, while shared e-vehicle schemes claim the laws might render them uninsurable.
Key Provisions and Industry Concerns
The proposed laws would introduce an age limit of 16 for e-bikes and e-scooters, require users to obtain a driver's licence, and impose a speed limit of 10km/h on nearly all cycle lanes. This has triggered a significant backlash from various groups, including cycling communities, disability advocates, road safety organisations, and transport engineering experts, with over 2,000 submissions to a parliamentary inquiry.
DoorDash has argued that the licence requirement creates a disproportionate and unnecessary barrier to participation in delivery work. The company warns this is likely to deter or force out users without delivering a commensurate safety benefit. This reduction of the delivery fleet would have broader ripple effects beyond the riders themselves, including reduced availability of on-demand delivery services, DoorDash stated in its submission.
Impact on Delivery Workers and Services
Uber Eats, which employs more than 30,000 delivery workers in Queensland, highlighted that approximately 89% of its workers join the platform using an international passport and are unlikely to hold any driver's licence. The company's submission reads, The impact on the delivery community would be immense, leading to delays, reduced reliability, and a poorer customer experience. Uber claims restaurants would become increasingly frustrated with meals taking longer to be collected, particularly during peak periods, which could impact customer satisfaction and undermine confidence with delivery platforms.
Threats to Shared E-Vehicle Schemes
Meanwhile, shared e-vehicle schemes, such as those operated by Lime and Neuron in Queensland cities including Brisbane, have warned that the laws could make them uninsurable. In a joint submission, the companies focused on a clause requiring share scheme operators to ensure their clients had a driver's licence. They claim that without amendment, the bill imposes a harsh restriction on accessibility that would undermine the economic basis of the shared schemes and could see the end of services in all Queensland cities.
Government Response and Alternative Proposals
State Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg defended the legislation, citing considerable concern about pedestrian safety on footpaths from the original parliamentary inquiry into e-bikes. He stated that the government will consider the committee report and return to parliament after reviewing it. However, cycling groups, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, several councils, and expert groups have called for major amendments to the bill.
Many submissions argue that the state should instead improve Queensland's limited protected cycle lane infrastructure and enforce existing rules banning overpowered e-motorbikes. Safety data shows that in 2025, a single person was killed in a crash involving a legal e-bike in Queensland, while last year's road deaths toll of 306 was the highest in 16 years, with almost all fatalities involving cars, trucks, and motorbikes. E-bikes and e-scooters represented the least and second least fatalities of any transport mode, and this year's road toll is 24.2% higher than at the same time last year, according to the latest update from the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
