Electric scooters and bikes have become a common sight on Queensland streets, but the laws protecting riders and pedestrians are still catching up. While these devices offer speed and convenience, the lack of clear regulation is leaving people exposed.
On the Gold Coast alone, 566 people were hospitalised in 2023–2024 due to e-transport incidents, according to ABC News. Townsville recorded another 370 e-scooter-related injuries in 2024. And in one tragic case, a 79-year-old woman died after an e-bike collided with a car on Bribie Island.
With injuries on the rise, it’s essential to know where you stand. Read on to understand your rights and what steps you can take if something goes wrong.
Understanding e-bike regulations in Queensland
Queensland’s e-bike laws are quite specific. To be considered legal on roads and footpaths, an electric bike must:
- Use pedal-assist technology (not throttle-only)
- Not exceed a motor power output of 250 watts.
- Cut off power assistance at 25 km/h
- Comply with the European Standard EN15194
- Display a permanent compliance label
Once a bike exceeds these limits, it’s reclassified as a motor vehicle, which means different rules, registration requirements, and legal responsibilities apply.
If you’re using or around e-scooters, the rules shift:
- Riders must be at least 16 years old (or 12+ if supervised)
- Helmets are mandatory
- Speed is capped at 12 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h elsewhere
- Some public spaces are off-limits for e-scooters
The challenge is that many riders don’t know where the line is between legal and non-compliant and unfortunately, crossing that line, intentionally or not, can leave you without a safety net.
A surge in accidents and injuries
The rise in e-scooter and e-bike use is hard to ignore, and so are the consequences. Between mid-2020 and mid-2025, WorkCover Queensland handled 1,321 claims linked to e-transport injuries, paying out more than $25.5 million. In just five years, annual claims have more than tripled.
Additionally, in 2021, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital treated an average of 1.5 scooter-related injuries per day during peak periods. About a quarter of those cases involved alcohol, and 1 in 10 riders weren’t wearing helmets.
More troubling still, from January 2020 to April 2025, researchers found 30 deaths connected to e-scooter use.
The trend is glaring: accidents are happening more often, and they’re getting more serious. Yet many injured riders are shocked to find they’re not covered by standard insurance. That gap in protection can come at a high cost.
Insurance gaps that leave riders exposed
Here’s where it gets difficult. Even when operated within the rules, e-bikes and e-scooters are not automatically covered under Queensland’s CTP insurance system. That leaves most riders without automatic protection if they cause or suffer an injury.
Some common gaps include:
- No legal requirement to hold personal insurance as an e-rider
- Home and contents insurance rarely includes public liability for e-mobility
- Shared scooter services (like Lime or Neuron) often limit their liability in user agreements
- If you’re hit by an uninsured e-rider, recovering compensation can be extremely difficult
Without clear liability coverage, the path to fair compensation gets murky very quickly.
What happens when accidents occur?
Despite the lack of automatic cover, several compensation avenues do exist. The type of claim you can make depends on how the accident happened and who was involved.
Motor vehicle accidents
If a vehicle strikes you while you’re using an e-bike or scooter, and the driver is to blame, you may be able to claim under their CTP policy. This could include:
- Medical treatment
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
However, there’s a twist: your e-bike or e-scooter must have been legally compliant at the time of the accident. If your device was too powerful or operating illegally, it may disqualify you from claiming.
Public liability claims
You could be eligible to claim if your injuries resulted from:
- Poorly maintained roads or footpaths
- Defective devices (e.g., a shared scooter with faulty brakes)
- Negligent actions by businesses, councils, or other individuals
A public liability claim may provide compensation for things like:
- medical bills,
- income loss, and
- pain and suffering.
However, these claims are evidence-heavy and often require legal assistance to succeed.
Workers’ compensation
If you were using an e-bike or e-scooter during work, whether for deliveries, travel between jobs, or commuting, you may qualify for workers’ compensation.
WorkCover Queensland data from 2021-2025 shows over 80% of e-mobility-related claims involved travel to or from work. If your accident occurred on the job, you could be entitled to:
- weekly payments
- medical care
- lump sum benefits depending on your injuries
Product liability
When mechanical failure or a design flaw leads to injury, liability may rest with the manufacturer or seller. These types of claims usually cover:
- Product recalls
- Design flaws (e.g. unstable wheel bases)
- Manufacturing defects
You’ll need detailed investigations, expert assessments, and a strong legal team to make these claims stick.
Why e-mobility claims are more complex
E-bike and scooter accident claims can be harder to navigate than typical car crash cases. Here’s why:
Lack of identifiable information
Often, e-scooter riders don’t carry identification or contact details. In hit-and-run scenarios, there’s no registration plate to trace, and many incidents go unreported.
Compliance uncertainty
Determining whether a device was legally compliant at the time of the accident can affect whether you’re eligible for certain types of compensation.
Unsettled law
There’s limited legal precedent when it comes to e-mobility injuries. Courts are still interpreting how existing motor accident and negligence laws apply to these new transport methods.
What to do after an e-Bike accident
Taking the right steps immediately after an accident can protect your rights and help you access available compensation.
Immediately:
- Seek medical attention, even for injuries that appear mild initially.
- Take detailed pictures of the accident site, the e-bike or e-scooter, and any wounds.
- Collect names and contact details of anyone involved and any witnesses
- Report the incident to police (especially for injuries or damage)
- Avoid repairing or disposing of the device, as it may be vital to proving your case
In the days after:
- Keep all medical records and receipts
- Record any time off work and related expenses
- Notify your employer if it happened during work
- Avoid speaking to insurers or signing anything without legal advice
Time limits for making a claim
Every compensation path has strict deadlines. Missing them could mean losing your right to claim altogether.
Here are the typical limits in Queensland:
- CTP (car accident) claims:
- 9 months from the date of the accident or when symptoms appear
- 1 month from engaging a lawyer
- Nominal Defendant (unidentified vehicles): 3 months
- Workers’ compensation: 6 months from the date of injury
- Generally: 3 years from the incident date
Acting early means better evidence, less stress, and a stronger case.
Reforms in the pipeline
As electric transport grows in popularity, Queensland’s lawmakers are reviewing how e-bike laws and e-scooter regulations can be improved.
Possible changes include:
- Mandatory registration and insurance for e-mobility devices
- Stricter enforcement of helmet and speed laws
- Greater powers for police to impound non-compliant scooters and bikes
Final thoughts: Know the rules, protect your rights
Queensland’s current e-bike laws and e-scooter rules have left a legal grey zone—one where injuries are rising, and insurance is often missing in action. Whether you’re a rider, pedestrian, or motorist, understanding these laws is important.
While the law is still catching up, you don’t have to navigate it alone. With the right legal advice, it’s possible to identify who’s responsible, what your claim is worth, and how to access the support you deserve.
We champion your recovery
At accident legal, we’ve tackled complex injury claims across Queensland, including those involving e-bikes, e-scooters, and other personal mobility devices. When life knocks you down, we help you get back up.
We’re proud to be the team Queenslanders trust to go the distance, offering:
- Free consultations
- No win, no fee legal support
- Thorough investigation into whether your device was legally compliant
- Expert analysis of every possible claim you may be entitled to
Whether you were injured while riding or hit by someone else, we’ll step in as your champions, ready to fight for the compensation and care you deserve.
Contact one of our Personal Injury Lawyers Queensland today to get the right team in your corner.
