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E-mobility

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Find out how easy it is to ride e-bikes, e-scooters and other electric mobility devices around Brisbane.

Male rider on a Beam electric bike and woman riding a Neuron electric scooter in City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City.

What is electric mobility (e-mobility)? 

Electric mobility (also called e-mobility, e-wheeling or micro-mobility) refers to the use of lightweight battery-powered devices, including e-bikes and personal mobility devices, such as e-scooters.   

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Note

E-mobility does not include motorised scooters (mopeds) or motorised wheelchairs.

E-bikes and personal mobility devices

E-bikes and personal mobility devices, such as e-scooters and e-skateboards, are a great way to explore Brisbane, connect to other modes of transport and avoid traffic on the way.

They're a great option if you’re looking for an alternative and sustainable mode of transport.   

Personal mobility devices include: 

Black electric scooter with handles on a blue background.

Electric scooters
or ‘e-scooters’
Black electric Segway two wheel with handles on a blue background.

Segways
Red and black electric pedal assisted bicycle on a blue background.

Electric pedal assisted
or ‘pedelec’ bicycles
Black electric Pint one wheel on a blue background.

Onewheels
Black electric skateboard on a blue background.

Electric skateboards
or ‘e-skateboards’

In Queensland, a personal mobility device must:

  • be designed for use by one person
  • fit specific dimensions (length, width and height)
  • have a maximum weight of 60 kg (when not carrying a person or load)
  • be powered by an electric motor
  • have one or more wheels.

To ride a personal mobility device, you must be 16 years or older, or at least 12 years and supervised by an adult. 

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Did you know? 

Council is a pioneer in micromobility innovation, supporting the first e-scooter sharing scheme trial in Australia.  

Brisbane is the first capital city in Australia to recognise e-mobility devices as sustainable modes of transport. These devices are allowed to travel at 12 km/h on most footpaths, and speeds up to 25 km/h on separated paths and bikeways.

Using e-mobility in Brisbane

E-mobility parking hubs provide a designated place to pick up and park shared e-scooters and e-bikes.

The hubs help ensure our footpaths and roads are kept clear and safe for pedestrians and road users.   

Private operators offer e-scooters and e-bikes in Brisbane as part of a ride-share scheme. With up to 6,500 shared e-mobility devices available to hire across the city, snagging a ride is easy!

  1. Download your preferred operator's app on your smartphone and register your details.  
  2. Find an e-bike or e-scooter near you using the app, which includes the location of e-mobility hubs and virtual parking zones. 
  3. Use the app to unlock the device and start your riding session. Make sure you check all the equipment is working, including the brakes, and wear the helmet provided.
  4. At the end of your trip, park the device in a safe place and end the session on your app.

You can park and pick up shared e-mobility devices in parking hubs across the CBD and inner suburbs.  

In areas of high demand, we've made it easier to find parking hubs by clearly marking the space with distinctive colours and symbols.

These defined e-mobility parking hubs help ensure that our footpaths and roads are kept clear, safe and accessible for pedestrians and road users.

When using an e-mobility parking hub, park the device responsibly in the designated area and follow the operator's app instructions.

If there’s no e-mobility parking hub nearby, park your e-scooter in an area where it won’t block footpaths, roads, street furniture or emergency infrastructure.

The Queensland Government’s rules for personal mobility devices set out where and how e-mobility devices can be used.

Make sure you understand all the requirements before setting out. 

Private e-scooter parking racks are designed to keep your e-scooter safe and footpaths clear.

To use the racks, place the neck of your personal e-scooter into the opening at the top of the rack and use a locking device to secure it. 

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If you’re parking a ride-share e-scooter, use the e-mobility hubs. 

Where can you ride e-mobility devices in Brisbane? 

You can ride an e-mobility device on:

  • footpaths
  • shared and separated paths (for walking and riding)
  • bike paths 
  • bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less
  • bike lanes that are physically separated from other lanes of traffic (for example, by bollards or a raised median strip) 
  • local streets with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less and no dividing line.
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E-mobility laws and fines

Make sure you know the rules for personal mobility devices before you set off on a ride.

Queensland Police can issue on-the-spot fines and you can also be given the same fines as motorists for breaking the general road rules.

Looking for something else?

Buses

CityCats and ferries

Bikeway safety, signage and rules

E-mobility events and resources 

E-mobility workshops

Boost your confidence riding an e-bike or e-scooter with help from a trainer. Sign up to one of Cycling Brisbane’s free or low-cost workshops.

Attend an event
Man using a Beam electric bike talking with a woman using a Neuron electric scooter.

Bikeways in Brisbane

Brisbane has an extensive and growing network of bikeways you can use for fun, fitness or commuting.  

Learn more
Three people riding their bikes along a bikeway path.

Bikeways safety and rules

Learn about rules and signage for bikeways and pathways so you can stay safe on your ride.

Find out more
Female bike rider heading inbound on Brisbane City section of Bicentennial Bikeway.

Safety tips for e-mobility riders

E-bikes and e-scooters go a little faster than your standard push-bike (they’re also quiet), so always be mindful of traffic and pedestrians when riding or scooting.  Keep left and give way to pedestrians.

If you’re new to e-bikes and e-scooters, take it easy. Get the hang of it at a slower pace and get to your destination safely.

An e-bike has more power behind it than your average bike. Brake to slow down well before your intended stop.

Personal mobility devices must have an effective stopping system (brakes, gears or motor control) as well as a bell, horn or other warning device when using handlebars.

When riding at night or in poor visibility conditions, use a white light at the front and a red light and reflector at the back of your electric mobility device to be visible.

Remember that the maximum e-scooter speed limit is 25 km/h on separated paths and 12 km/h on footpaths.

You can only ride on local streets if they have a 50 km/h speed limit and no dividing line or median strip.

E-mobility devices are fast, even a low-speed crash can result in brain trauma that could be life threatening or fatal. Always protect your head with a helmet.

Frequently asked questions

You can ride an e-scooter on footpaths, shared paths and bike paths in Brisbane, unless a 'No PMD' sign is present.

Personal mobility devices (PMDs) include e-scooters, e-skateboards and Onewheel devices.

You must give way to all pedestrians and not exceed 12 km/h when riding on a footpath.

E-mobility devices are not made for more than one rider.

It is against the law to carry another person, including children, when riding a personal mobility device.

Yes, you can carry a load on your personal mobility device. You must: 

  • attach the load to your personal mobility device in a way that does not make the device unstable 
  • make sure the load is unlikely to fall from the personal mobility device. 

Make sure you always follow the personal mobility device rules when riding.

E-bikes are considered a vehicle and are subject to general road rules.

Under the electric bicycle rules, e-bikes (or pedal-assisted bicycles) are treated as bicycles. They’re allowed to operate using the full range of infrastructure available for non-powered bicycles.

You can ride an e-scooter on local streets with speed limits of 50 km/h or less and no dividing line or centre median. If the street is a one-way street, it must have no more than one lane. 

Make sure you always follow the personal mobility device rules when riding your e-scooter.

Yes, you can ride your e-scooter in: 

  • bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less
  • bike lanes that are physically separated from other lanes of traffic (for example, by bollards or a raised median strip). 

E-mobility speed limits apply.

You must follow the rules for personal mobility devices when riding.

No, you don’t need an electric scooter licence to ride one.

Children under 12 years of age must not ride personal mobility devices. A person riding a personal mobility device must be either: 

  • at least 16 years 
  • at least 12 years and supervised by an adult while riding the device.  

Any rider of shared personal mobility devices must be at least 16 years of age.

Everyone must follow the rules for personal mobility devices when riding.