A surge of e-bikes and bicycles will hit Brisbane’s streets on Wednesday, as hundreds of riders stage a protest against proposed Queensland laws that would push e-bikes and e-scooters off footpaths and onto busy roads.
The Story Bridge Active Travel Alliance organised the snap ride to coincide with peak hour, highlighting what advocates describe as an impossible choice for everyday riders: crawl along footpaths at a snail’s pace or brave hostile traffic.
Riders are expected to cross the Story Bridge en route to the Queensland parliament at 5.30pm.
The protest follows the release of a Bill by Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg that comes after a 10-month inquiry.
The legislation would ban under-16s from riding e-bikes and e-scooters, require riders to hold a car licence, and limit speeds on footpaths and shared paths to 10km/h.
The alliance said anyone who rode a legal pedal-assist bicycle “knows 10km/h is a ludicrously slow speed” and difficult to maintain for any length of time.
The Bill’s explanatory notes state the 10km/h cap, slower than jogging or a toddler on a balance bike, is intended to encourage riders to use paths “where high-quality active transport infrastructure is available”.
“There’s just one problem; our shared paths and footpaths are the high-quality active transport infrastructure,” the alliance said.
“The alternative won’t be a separated bikeway, it will be riding on the road, unprotected.
“These laws would push people onto some of Brisbane’s most hostile corridors, roads that are already unsafe for cyclists and micromobility users.
“If they want us on the roads, let’s get on the roads and show them the real impact of these laws.”
Bicycle Queensland chief executive Matt Burke also voiced support for the protest, calling the proposed legislation a “mad idea”.
“I will be there, and we will be joining this,” he said, noting that many bike advocacy groups across the south east would also take part.
The new rules would mainly apply to e-bikes with motorised assistance up to 25km/h and e-scooters limited to 250 watts.
Non-electric bicycles would be largely exempt. E-scooter riders would be permitted on roads with speed limits up to 60km/h, though capped at 25km/h, but these rules have not yet passed, meaning riders cannot legally join the Story Bridge ride on e-scooters.
The protest is structured as a legal group ride, following road rules. Participants will meet at Raymond Park, Kangaroo Point, at 5pm before departing at 5.30pm for parliament via the Story Bridge.
A police spokesperson said authorities were aware of the “unauthorised protest” and expected it to be peaceful.
“As is standard for protests, police will be present to provide guidance or instructions if required,” the spokesperson said.
The timing comes as Brisbane commuters are already grappling with major disruption from a Queensland Rail strike affecting the Ipswich and Cleveland lines.
Queensland Rail has advised passengers to “allow extra travel time and consider alternative travel options where possible”, leaving many residents caught between soaring petrol prices, rail disruption, and now road protests.
