Yes, in both states, but the test is different. In Queensland the rule is a number: riding a bicycle, e-bikes included, with a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 or above is illegal. In South Australia, cyclists can be charged with riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a charge that rests on impairment rather than on a reading. Neither state treats a bicycle as a free pass.
The two states at a glance
| Question | Queensland | South Australia |
|---|---|---|
| What is prohibited? | Riding with a BAC of 0.05 or above | Riding while so affected by alcohol or a drug that you cannot control the vehicle effectively |
| Is a reading required? | The core rule is a BAC figure, though the fines page also mentions riding under the influence of alcohol | No. The test is impairment, and a conviction is possible even below the prescribed concentration |
| Do e-bikes count? | Yes, they are named in the rule | Two defined types of power-assisted bike count as bicycles |
| License and riding ban | No license sanctions, but no riding for the following 8 hours | Unclear for bicycles; see the penalty section below |
| Money | $518 or $863 by reading, or court with a penalty up to $6,908 | Up to $500 on the cycling page; heavier figures on the general penalty page |
This page covers Queensland and South Australia only. Other states and territories write their own rules.
Queensland: a 0.05 limit that includes e-bikes
BAC is the share of alcohol in your blood, measured directly or estimated from a breath test. The Queensland Government’s bicycle page sets the limit at 0.05 and says outright that it covers e-bikes. Police can test you on roads, footpaths, shared paths and in public places, so riding on a path does not put you out of reach. Queensland Police also list roadside breath tests for e-bike, bicycle and e-scooter riders in public places among the new e-mobility rules from 1 July 2026.
What follows a positive test
The Queensland bicycle page says there are no license sanctions for drink riding on a bicycle or personal mobility device (PMD, a category that includes e-scooters). What you do get is a riding ban: if you are caught above the limit, you cannot ride for the following 8 hours, and the fines page lists a $345 fine for riding during that prohibition.
The route after that depends on the reading. Up to 0.149 you may be given a penalty infringement notice; at 0.150 or over you must attend court.
| BAC reading | Amount the fines page lists |
|---|---|
| 0.05 to under 0.10 | $518 |
| 0.10 to under 0.15 | $863 |
| Over 0.15, or riding under the influence of alcohol | Court appearance possible; penalty up to $6,908 |
The two Queensland pages word the top band a little differently. The bicycle page says 0.150 or over, while the fines page says over 0.15 and adds riding under the influence of alcohol. A separate $518 fine covers a rider drinking liquor while riding. Bicycle riders are fined at the same rates as motorists but do not collect demerit points. Fines rose 3.5% under indexation on 1 July 2026, and the fines page was last updated on 26 August 2026, so check it for current amounts.
South Australia: riding under the influence
The Law Handbook, published by the Legal Services Commission of South Australia, says a cyclist convicted of riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs faces a fine of up to $500, citing section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (SA). That section makes it an offense to drive a vehicle, or attempt to put one in motion, while so affected by alcohol or a drug that you cannot exercise effective control of it. The Handbook says it applies to all vehicles, not just motor vehicles, and names bicycles among them. From 13 July 2025 it also reaches e-scooters and other personal mobility devices.
Impairment, not a figure
“Under the influence” is a functional test. A person is treated as unable to control a vehicle effectively if any physical or mental faculty is lost or appreciably impaired. To prove the charge, prosecutors can rely on how the vehicle was being ridden and on signs of intoxication such as unsteadiness and slurred speech.
The Handbook adds that a conviction is possible even when the alcohol level is below the “prescribed concentration”, which belongs to a separate offense. So a low reading does not rule out a charge.
Penalty figures that do not line up
The cycling page gives a maximum fine of $500. The Handbook’s general penalty page for section 47 lists much heavier first-offense penalties: a fine of $1,100 to $1,600 or up to 3 months in prison, plus a mandatory license disqualification of at least 12 months. That chapter calls its penalties severe. The general page does not separate out bicycles, so the Handbook alone does not settle which penalties reach a rider on a bike. If you face a charge, take the question to a lawyer rather than assuming the lower figure applies.
E-bikes in South Australia
The Handbook says two types of power-assisted pedal cycle are considered bicycles in South Australia, and that only those two types are legally allowed on the state’s roads and public spaces. Other power-assisted bikes, petrol-powered ones in particular, face the same requirements as motor vehicles. If your e-bike falls outside the two types, get advice before riding it anywhere, drinking or not. Our e-bike laws guide shows how classes are defined in the US, UK and EU; Australian states use their own wording.
Practical points for riders and e-bike owners
- If you have been drinking, do not ride. Get home another way. If you leave the bike behind, a proper lock matters, and our guide to locking your bike so it will not get stolen covers the options.
- Pedal assist does not change the rule. Queensland names e-bikes in its limit, and South Australia’s offense covers every vehicle.
- Drink riding is one rule among many. Queensland treats bicycle riders like other road users, so the general road rules apply too. Our guide to the basic rules of cycling on roads covers the habits that apply everywhere.
- Check the dates. The Queensland bicycle page was last updated on 1 July 2026 and the fines page on 26 August 2026. The South Australian cycling page was last revised on 8 July 2025, so confirm anything that matters against current official sources.
- Get legal advice if you are stopped or charged. The Law Handbook says it should not be relied on as a substitute for legal advice. In South Australia, the Legal Services Commission lists a free, confidential legal helpline on 1300 366 424.
Sources
- Queensland Government: Bicycle road rules and safety
- Queensland Government: Bicycle and e-bike riding rules and fines
- Queensland Police Service: Police launch targeted crack down on e-mobility devices
- Legal Services Commission of South Australia: Law Handbook, Cycling
- Legal Services Commission of South Australia: Law Handbook, Driving under the influence
- Legal Services Commission of South Australia: Law Handbook, Alcohol and drug penalties
Last reviewed: October 2026.