Queensland mother challenges seizure of e-bike under new laws

A Sunshine Coast mother is taking her case to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal after police refused to return a seized e-bike, despite her offer to retrofit it to meet new state laws.

Tanya Tierney’s 17-year-old son, Austin, was stopped by police in Bokarina on July 11 while riding a Cruzr Traveller. The bike, which features a 750-watt Bafang motor, exceeded the 250-watt continuous power limit required under new e-bike regulations. The vehicle was subsequently seized and placed in Transport and Main Roads storage.

In collaboration with the e-bike shop Cruzr, Tierney proposed a plan to install a 250-watt motor, a new controller, a display, and a 25km/h assistance limit to ensure compliance with the EN15194 international standard. However, police rejected her release application and a subsequent internal review. An officer stated that a “future intention to modify a vehicle does not establish that the vehicle presently satisfies the statutory requirements for release.”