Big decision: Government Bans Under-16s from Driving E-Scooters and E-Cycles
Sydney (The Uttam Hindu): Children under the age of 16 will not be allowed to ride electric mobility devices (such as e-bikes and e-scooters) under new safety laws in the Australian state of Queensland. The decision was announced on Tuesday. The state government said that all 28 recommendations of the parliamentary committee on e-mobility safety have been accepted in full or in principle. These include the ban on children under the age of 16. Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said that the government will soon introduce these recommendations to Parliament to become law.
Under the new rules, driving e-bikes and e-scooters will require at least a Queensland learner's licence. This licence is granted at the age of 16 to ensure riders are aware of traffic rules. An investigation found that in 2025, 12 people died and 6,300 were injured in e-mobility-related accidents in Queensland. "We are banning the use of these devices by those under 16 because child safety is of paramount importance," Mickelberg said on Tuesday.
According to the news agency Xinhua, the new laws will also impose a 10-kilometer-per-hour speed limit on e-mobility devices on footpaths. Police will also be given additional powers to confiscate and destroy illegal devices, and they will also be able to conduct random breath tests on drivers. Last year, Australia implemented the world's first social media ban for those under the age of 16. Under this, major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X will be required to prevent such children from creating accounts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this step was taken to help children growing up surrounded by algorithms, constantly running social media feeds, and the pressures of the situation. He also urged students to use their holidays wisely and avoid spending all their time on their mobile phones. Australia's decision has drawn interest from many countries around the world. Countries like Denmark, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia, and New Zealand are also considering similar measures.