Queensland Police released the first three months of results from Operation Yankee Surety, the statewide e-mobility enforcement campaign that began at the start of July, ABC News reported on 2 October. Police have seized 558 illegal e-bikes, e-scooters and other devices, an average of about six a day, and issued more than 2,400 traffic infringement notices, more than 27 a day.
The update follows the government's mid September figures, which counted 466 devices seized and 2,142 notices when Queensland began crushing seized bikes. That is roughly 90 more seizures and around 260 more fines in a little over two weeks.
Where the fines went
- About 1,500 of the 2,400 plus notices, more than 60%, were for riding without a helmet
- 157 riders were caught speeding
- Police ran 878 roadside breath tests on e-mobility riders and prosecuted 68 drink riders; Brisbane recorded the most positive tests, with a combined 38
- 64 tickets have been issued for breaching the age and licence rules since they took effect at the end of August
The hot spots
Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Capricornia stood out in the police data. The Sunshine Coast led the state for seizures with 146 devices, compared with 88 on the Gold Coast. North Brisbane had the most infringement notices at 511, ahead of South Brisbane at 433. Capricornia recorded 254 notices, almost double neighbouring Mackay Whitsunday at 133.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tim Partrige said e-bikes and e-scooters are vehicles, and that dangerous behaviour such as speeding, drink riding or using non compliant devices can have life threatening consequences for riders and others. He said police would keep taking enforcement action against those disregarding the law.
What it means for riders
The numbers show what police are actually ticketing. Seizures get the headlines, but the most common fine by far is the simplest one to avoid: no helmet. In Queensland a legal e-bike is still limited to 250 watts, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h, and since 31 August solo riders must be at least 16 and hold at least a learner licence, with supervised riding for 12 to 17 year olds.
- Wear an approved helmet every ride: it is more than 60% of the fines issued
- Drink riding laws apply on an e-bike; police are breath testing riders and prosecuting
- Check the rider's age and licence before handing a bike to a teenager, because licence tickets are now being written
- Buy a bike with a certified 250 watt motor and 25 km/h assist limit, and keep the paperwork, because non compliant devices are seized and destroyed
Sources
- ABC News, Queensland Police seize more than 500 e-mobility devices and issue 2,300 fines in three months (2 October 2026)
- Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements, dangerous illegal e-bikes destroyed under tough new laws (14 September 2026)
- ABC News, Queensland age and licence rules from 31 August
Seizure, infringement, helmet, speeding, breath test, licence and regional figures and Acting Assistant Commissioner Partrige's comments are Queensland Police Service data as reported by ABC News on 2 October 2026. The ABC headline says 2,300 fines while the article body says more than 2,400; we have used the body figure. The mid September comparison figures are from the Queensland Government statement of 14 September 2026. The hero photo, supplied by the Queensland Police Service, shows an officer using a speed gun.