Queensland will ban children under 16 from riding e-bikes and e-scooters as the state introduces some of the toughest laws in the country amid a surge in serious injuries and deaths.

From July 1, riders will need to hold a valid learner’s permit or licence to use the devices, while parents who supply them to underage children could also face fines.

Police will also be granted powers to seize and destroy illegal e-mobility devices.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told Sunrise on Wednesday the changes follow extensive consultation with emergency department staff, frontline police, and parents across the state, and are aimed at addressing what the government sees as a growing safety crisis.

“We’ve taken a lot of time to get this right,” Crisafulli said.

“One of the first things we did when we came to office is identify this as a problem.”

“I am confident that this will make a difference.”

The premier said the laws would encourage greater accountability on the issue, particularly for parents.

“It’s about making sure we accept personal responsibility,” he said.

“It’s no different if a parent supplies alcohol or drugs to a kid or a knife; they can be held accountable”.

“These are a weapon, and they’re a dangerous weapon.

“In the last three years, there’s been over a dozen people killed in Queensland, and there’s been 6000 injuries, and many of them are life-changing and serious.”

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli issues stark message as Queensland moves to ban under-16s from e-bikes.Queensland Premier David Crisafulli issues stark message as Queensland moves to ban under-16s from e-bikes. Credit: Sunrise

He said the human impact of the issues had been central to the government’s approach.

“I’ve sat with those parents, and I’ve felt their pain, and I’ve listened to emergency physicians, and I’ve heard their stories,” he said.

The crackdown comes as concern grows nationwide, with New South Wales also preparing to expand police powers to seize and crush illegal e-mobility devices.

Crisafulli acknowledged the changes may not be universally popular but said stronger action was necessary.

“We can’t continue to see innocent people cleaned up by these things. We can’t continue to see kids lose their lives because they don’t have the skill set to be riding them,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter where I go in this state, people say to me, you’ve got to take action on this.

“Tragically, it’s people who know that mums and dads have had to bury kids. And we have to do something about it.”