Free guide · Updated 10 October 2026
The Brisbane delivery rider guide
Everything we tell new riders at the counter, in one place: the busiest times, where to rest and refill, Queensland’s 2026 e-bike rules and fines, safe battery charging, the new Fair Work minimum pay, and tax basics. With links to the official sources.
1 · Timing
Best times to ride in Brisbane
Every app and suburb is different, but these patterns are what riders tell us most often. Use them as a starting point, then trust your own numbers.
Lunch peak
Roughly 11:30am–2pm on weekdays. Strongest near offices and campuses: the CBD, Milton, Toowong, St Lucia and South Brisbane.
Dinner peak
Roughly 5:30pm–9pm, every day. Apartments in Fortitude Valley, New Farm, West End, South Brisbane, Toowong and Sunnybank.
Friday & Saturday nights
Dinner runs later, and late-night orders around the Valley and South Bank keep going after 10pm.
Rainy evenings
Fewer people go out and fewer riders log on, so orders often jump. Pack a rain jacket and keep your phone dry. Brisbane’s summer storms usually arrive in the afternoon.
Event nights
Big games and concerts change where the orders are, before and after. Avoid riding into crowds near the venue at kick-off and the final whistle.
Quiet times
Mid-afternoon (2pm–5pm) is usually slow. A good time to charge, eat, or book a free repair at the workshop.
In the BBR rider app: Busy tonight combines event listings, rain forecasts and other riders’ average $/hour (anonymous) to suggest when to ride, and Start/End shift shows your own $/hour and when your rent is covered for the week.
2 · Look after yourself
Rest stops, water and heat
- Drink before you’re thirsty. Brisbane summers are hot and humid. Carry a bottle and refill at park drinking fountains.
- Public toilets are in most Brisbane City Council parks, on the South Bank and CBD riverfronts, and in shopping centres.
- Shade and a break between peaks. Riding tired causes more crashes than riding slowly.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses and a long-sleeve layer for the middle of the day.
The Rest stops map in the free BBR rider app shows toilets, water and places to charge your phone, so you don’t have to guess on a new route. Our riders also get a free daily coffee at Panda & Co. Indooroopilly while their bike is on hire and rent is up to date.
3 · Queensland law
Queensland e-bike rules and fines (2026)
Queensland brought in new e-bike laws from 1 July 2026, with the age and licence rules starting 31 August 2026.
Licence
16+ with at least a learner licence (Queensland, interstate or overseas).
Speed
Motor assist stops at 25 km/h. 12 km/h on footpaths at all times and when passing pedestrians on shared paths.
Alcohol
Police can breath-test e-bike riders in public places. The limit is 0.05.
Phone
Mounted in a handlebar cradle only. Holding it, even at the lights, is a $1,295 fine.
Common fines
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| Not wearing a helmet | $518 |
| Carrying a passenger (bike not designed for it) | $518 |
| Careless riding | $518 |
| Riding on a prohibited road (e.g. a motorway) | $518 |
| Unsafe riding around pedestrians | $518 |
| Holding or resting a phone on your body while riding | $1,295 |
| Speeding (incl. over 12 km/h on footpaths) | $345–$1,986 |
| Drink riding (over 0.05) | $518 up to $6,908 (court) |
| Unsafe parking | $172 |
No motorways, and no riding where “no bicycles” signs are posted. Ring your bell and slow down before passing people. Our bikes are 250 W, assist to 25 km/h and are built to EN 15194, so the bike itself is legal; how you ride is up to you.
General information only, not legal, visa or tax advice. Rules change: always check the official source: Queensland Government StreetSmarts, e-bike rules, Queensland Government StreetSmarts, new laws and fines. Last checked 10 October 2026.
4 · Battery safety
Charge your battery safely
Do
- Use the charger that came with the bike.
- Charge in a ventilated spot on tiles or concrete.
- Let the battery cool after a shift before charging.
- Charge while you’re home, and unplug when full.
- Have working smoke alarms.
Don’t
- Leave it charging unattended or overnight while you sleep.
- Charge in a bedroom, living area or next to an exit.
- Charge on beds, couches, carpet or near curtains.
- Use a battery that is hot, swollen, cracked, leaking, hissing or smells odd: stop and call us.
On a long day, a second battery ($45 a week on our delivery hires) means you swap rather than fast-charge in a hurry. The app’s Battery coach gives range and charging tips for your bike.
General information only, not legal, visa or tax advice. Rules change: always check the official source: Queensland Fire Department, lithium-ion battery safety. Last checked 10 October 2026.
5 · Your pay
The fair pay law for delivery riders
From 17 August 2026, the Fair Work Commission’s minimum standards for on-demand food delivery apply. For riders on a bicycle or e-bike:
$31.30 per hour of engaged time, the minimum for bicycle and e-bike riders.
If your pay over an earnings period (up to 21 days) works out lower, the platform must top it up.
It rises by $0.50 from 1 January 2027.
Engaged time means time on a job (accepting, collecting, delivering), not time waiting for orders.
The Fair Pay Check in the BBR rider app compares what each delivery app paid you for your engaged time with the minimum, so you can spot a missing top-up and raise it with the platform or the Fair Work Ombudsman.
General information only, not legal, visa or tax advice. Rules change: always check the official source: Fair Work Commission, delivery minimum standards (17 Aug 2026). Last checked 10 October 2026.
6 · Tax
Tax basics for delivery riders
- Get an ABN. Delivery platforms usually treat riders as independent contractors, which means you need an Australian Business Number.
- No tax is taken out for you. Put aside part of every payout so the bill at tax time doesn’t hurt.
- Declare all of it. Income from every app goes in your tax return. Digital platforms generally report what they pay you to the ATO.
- Keep records of expenses. You can generally claim the work-related part of costs like e-bike rental, repairs, a phone and data. Keep receipts and a log of work use.
- GST: you need to register once your GST turnover reaches $75,000 or more.
The Tax pack in the BBR rider app collects your income, the rent you paid us and your expenses into one printable summary for your tax agent.
General information only, not legal, visa or tax advice. Rules change: always check the official source: ATO, sharing economy and tax, ATO, how GST applies when providing services. Last checked 10 October 2026.
7 · If something goes wrong
After a crash or breakdown
- Get safe and call 000 if anyone is hurt or there is danger.
- Swap details with anyone involved and take photos of the scene, the bike and any damage.
- Tell the platform about the incident through its app, and tell us.
- Press Help in the BBR rider app: we see your location. Van call-out is $89 for a breakdown, $160 for delivery and collection.
The app’s Safety & rules section keeps an emergency card and this checklist offline, and its Road smart quizzes earn a bonus coffee.
Rider questions
What is the minimum pay for food delivery riders in Australia?
Since 17 August 2026 the Fair Work minimum standards for on-demand food delivery set $31.30 per hour of engaged time for workers on a bicycle or e-bike. The platform must top up your pay if you earn less over an earnings period of up to 21 days. It rises by $0.50 from 1 January 2027. Engaged time is time spent on a job, not time waiting for one.
Do I need a licence to ride an e-bike for delivery in Queensland?
Yes. From 31 August 2026 e-bike riders must be 16 or over and hold at least a learner licence. A Queensland, interstate or overseas licence counts.
What are the fines for e-bike riders in Queensland?
No helmet, carrying a passenger on a bike not designed for one, riding on a prohibited road or careless riding: $518 each. Holding a phone while riding: $1,295. Speeding: $345 to $1,986 depending on speed. Unsafe parking: $172.
When are the busiest times for food delivery in Brisbane?
Usually the lunch peak around 11:30am to 2pm and the dinner peak around 5:30pm to 9pm, with Friday and Saturday nights, rainy evenings and big event nights often busiest. Demand varies by app and suburb, so track your own dollars per hour.
Do delivery riders pay tax in Australia?
Yes. Most delivery riders are independent contractors with an ABN, so no tax is taken out of their pay. You report the income in your tax return and can claim the work-related part of expenses such as bike rental. Set money aside as you go. This is general information, not tax advice.
Where can I charge an e-bike battery safely?
At home, while you are there and awake, in a well-ventilated spot on a hard non-combustible surface such as tiles or concrete, away from beds, couches and exits, using the charger that came with the bike. Unplug when full and never charge a battery that is hot, swollen or damaged.