Gold Coast riders face e-mobility crackdown
Gold Coast riders face fines and device seizures as police enforce Queensland’s new e-mobility laws statewide.
What’s happening?
Queensland Police have intensified their statewide crackdown on unsafe riding and illegal e-mobility devices. Operation Yankee Surety began on 1 July 2026 and will run until 30 June 2027.
The operation covers electrically power-assisted cycles, commonly known as e-bikes, along with e-scooters and other personal mobility devices. Police are targeting speeding, drink riding, helmet offences and devices that fail to meet Queensland’s legal requirements.
Officers are combining enforcement with education across roads, footpaths and shared pathways. The new legislation also gives police wider powers to conduct breath tests, detect speeding and seize illegal devices.
The Queensland Police Service released footage from recent compliance and education activities across the Gold Coast. The footage shows several devices being seized during separate incidents involving local riders.
Why it matters?
E-bikes and e-scooters have become increasingly common across Queensland, offering another transport option for riders. However, police have also recorded a rise in speeding, impaired riding, helmet offences and illegal devices.
Emergency Response and Coordination Command Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said e-mobility devices must be used safely and lawfully.
“Queensland police have witnessed a rapid rise in the use of e-mobility devices across Queensland, and while they offer convenience, they must be used safely and lawfully,” Assistant Commissioner Wildman said. “Operation Yankee Surety reinforces our strong commitment to road safety, which extends to every rider on EPACs, PMDs and other e-mobility devices.”
“We want all riders to understand that rules exist for a reason, and dangerous behaviours and non-compliant devices place not just the rider, but the entire community, at risk of tragic crashes, injuries and death. Keeping road and pathway users safe remains our priority, and police will act against non-compliant devices and unlawful behaviour wherever it occurs.”
The consequences can be severe for riders, pedestrians and others using roads and shared pathways. Queensland recorded 12 deaths involving e-mobility devices during 2025, with four more fatalities recorded during 2026.
Assistant Commissioner Wildman said many serious and fatal incidents were connected to preventable actions.
“Tragically, we have seen first-hand the devastating impact serious, traumatic and fatal e-mobility crashes can have on the community, and far too often these incidents are linked to preventable actions,” he said. “Our message is simple - ride legally, wear a helmet, know the rules and make smart decisions.”
“By doing so, you’re protecting yourself and others on our roads and pathways.”
Local Impact
Gold Coast police have released footage of three devices being seized during recent compliance activities. The incidents involved an adult rider, a Robina teenager and a Tugun man.
Officers seized an e-bike from a 27-year-old man. He received an infringement notice for riding at speed without pedalling on a non-compliant bike.
Police seized an e-bike from a 14-year-old Robina boy. He received an infringement notice for riding a non-compliant electrically powered-assisted cycle.
Officers seized a Surron from a 57-year-old Tugun man. He received an infringement notice for riding a non-compliant personal mobility device.
Officers have also used mobile speed detection equipment on shared pathways across the Gold Coast. Police continue speaking with riders about speed limits, helmet rules and device requirements.
The operation focuses on both education and enforcement. Police are asking riders and parents to understand the laws before using e-mobility devices in public.
By the numbers
More than 420 traffic infringement notices were reported during the operation’s first fortnight. In the same release, Assistant Commissioner Wildman referred to more than 450 infringements issued in just under two weeks.
More than 100 non-compliant devices were seized across Queensland after Operation Yankee Surety began on 1 July 2026.
More than 120 roadside breath tests were conducted on e-mobility riders, resulting in seven riders being charged with drink driving.
Zoom In
Under new laws introduced by the Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026, from 1 July 2026:
Police can seize illegal devices.
Roadside Breath Tests by police will enforce drink riding for riders of e-bikes, bicycles, e-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices in public places. 0.05 BAC applies.
Devices faster than 25km/h will be banned. E-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices must be restricted so they can’t exceed 25km/h. E-bike motors can only assist up to 25km/h. E-bikes can only be ridden faster under human pedal power.
12km/h speed limits will apply on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths for e-bikes, e-scooters and other Personal Mobility Devices.
E-scooters, e-skateboards or e-unicycles can be ridden on roads, including on-road bike lanes, with a speed limit of up to 60km/h. Riders can only go to a maximum speed of 25km/h.
Parents will be fined for under 16s riding illegal devices.
Assistant Commissioner Wildman said the early enforcement results showed why police needed a strong presence across Queensland.
“Road safety remains a top priority for Queensland Police, and this includes vulnerable road users like pedestrians and riders of EPACs, PMDs and other e-mobility devices,” Assistant Commissioner Wildman said. “Operation Yankee Surety is about detecting, intercepting and deterring dangerous riding behaviours, and making it clear to Queenslanders that unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated.”
“It is disappointing to see more than 450 infringements issued for reckless riding in just under two weeks; however, this reinforces how important it is that our officers are out every day disrupting these dangerous behaviours and ensuring riders understand their responsibility while making our roads and public spaces safe.”
Zoom Out
Operation Yankee Surety continues enforcement work previously conducted under Operation X-Ray Surety. That operation ran from 3 November 2025 until 26 January 2026.
Police issued more than 2,800 traffic infringement notices to e-mobility users during Operation X-Ray Surety. Enforcement continued after that operation ended.
Between 1 January and 19 June 2026, police issued more than 2,600 e-mobility infringement notices. These included 1,824 notices for failing to wear a helmet.
Another 358 notices were issued for riding on prohibited roads, while 69 were issued for speeding. Police said these figures showed unsafe behaviour remained a concern across Queensland.
Assistant Commissioner Wildman said non-compliant devices, speeding and drink riding could greatly increase the risk of a serious crash.
“The risk of a crash increases drastically when non-compliant devices or dangerous behaviours like speeding and drink riding are involved, and the consequences of these crashes can be devastating,” he said. “Crashes can be prevented through safe and lawful riding behaviours, and by enforcing the road rules, our officers are proactively protecting community safety and reducing the risk for all road users.”
“However, enforcement alone cannot save lives. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility - and that responsibility extends to every rider to adhere to the rules, wear an approved helmet, ride at safe speeds and ensure their device complies with Queensland legislation.”
“By doing so, you’re protecting yourself and others on our roads and pathways.”
What To Look For Next?
Further age and licensing requirements will begin on 31 August 2026. Riders must be 16 with a licence. Some exemptions for medical conditions and disabilities, and the ability for 12–17-year-olds to ride under parental supervision, will apply.
From 28 February 2027, Compliance labelling for e-bikes* will be mandatory, by 28 February 2027.
*Information about the exemptions and an assurance scheme to help e-bike owners comply with the new labelling requirements will be available from the Department of Transport and Main Roads after 31 August 2026.
Operation Yankee Surety will continue until 30 June 2027. Police will maintain education, community engagement and enforcement activities throughout the operation.
Police said Queenslanders could expect officers anywhere, anytime. More information is available through the Queensland Government StreetSmarts website.