Many of our riders and customers are from Australia. Australia is a very suitable city for cycling. In this beautiful city, let's learn about the regulations related to cycling in Australia.
1. New South Wales, NSW
In New South Wales, electric bicycles are divided into electric pedal bicycles and electric power-assisted bicycles.
Definition of electric pedal bicycles
Motor: Equipped with one or more motors with a total maximum output power of 200W,
Power: Cannot be driven by the engine alone, that is, someone needs to assist it to ride
Weight: The weight including the battery must be less than 50KG
Others: There is a height-adjustable seat
Definition of electric power-assisted bicycles
Motor: The maximum continuous power rating of electric power-assisted bicycles is 500 watts
Speed: When the bicycle speed exceeds 6 km/h, it gradually decreases
The motor automatically stops running: The bicycle speed reaches 25 km/h, stops pedaling and the speed exceeds 6 km/h
Of course, both types of electric bicycles are allowed to ride on the road, but there are often more detailed requirements for children to ride. Children should wear approved helmets when riding in public places.
Children under 10 years old are best to ride in fenced areas and away from lanes and vehicles.
Children aged 10-12 should stay away from busy roads.
Children under 16 years old can ride on the sidewalk under accompaniment and supervision.
When riding, it is best to wear light-colored and bright clothes so that others can see when driving and must ride on the left when riding on the sidewalk or shared lane.
More regulations can be viewed according to the website description: New South Wales Ebike Regulations
2. Victoria, VIC
Victoria defines an EPAC electric bicycle as follows:
1. Has at least one auxiliary propulsion motor
2. Can be used as a normal bicycle, providing assistance to the rider either by pedaling or using the motor
3. Has a maximum continuous power rating of 250W
4. Has an electric motor that provides power assistance when the rider is pedaling and the bicycle is moving at speeds between 6 km/h and 25 km/h
5. Has an electric motor that does not provide power at speeds above 25 km/h.
It has limited power output: must produce a continuous rated output of 200W or less
Many people may be curious about how to distinguish between electric bicycles and electric motorcycles. Here is the distinction between electric bicycles and electric motorcycles in Victoria: Ebikes that can provide more than 250W or 25 km/h assist speed; specially designed high-power off-road bicycles with motor power exceeding 200W and EPAC motor power exceeding 250W; Motorcycle scooters with pedals. All of them are motorcycles.
More regulations can be viewed according to the website description: Victoria Ebike Regulations
3. Queensland, QLD
Queensland's speed requirements for electric bicycles are as follows:
Up to 6 km/h the electric motor operates without pedalling. When you first start the motor can assist you.
Above 6 km/h you must pedal to keep the bike moving and the motor only provides pedal assistance.
At 25 km/h the engine must stop (cut out) and you need to pedal like a bicycle to maintain speeds above 25 km/h.
Power Source:
1. A bicycle equipped with one or more electric motors with a total power not exceeding 200 watts, where the motors are used only for pedal assistance.
2. A power-assisted bicycle is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor with a power of up to 250 watts, but the motor stops running at a speed of 25 km/h and pedaling is required to keep the motor running. Power-assisted bicycles must comply with the European standard for power-assisted pedal bicycles (EN15194) and must be permanently marked to indicate compliance with this standard.
Non-compliant e-bikes:
A motorized bicycle is non-compliant and cannot be ridden on public roads or trails if it has any of the following:
1. A gasoline or internal combustion engine
2. An electric motor that produces more than 200 watts of power (not an electric assist cycle)
3. An electric motor as the primary source of power.
More regulations can be found on the website: Queensland Ebike Regulations
4. South Australia, SA
Electric Assisted Bicycle
1. The primary source of propulsion is human power (pedaling).
2. Another source of propulsion must be an electric motor.
3. The maximum output power of the motor cannot exceed 200 watts.
4. The tare weight including the battery does not exceed 50 kg.
5. Has a height-adjustable seat.
The bicycle cannot be powered by the electric motor alone and the rider must use the pedals to start or keep the bicycle moving.
Electric Assisted Bicycle
1. The primary source of propulsion is human power (pedaling).
2. Has a maximum continuous power of 250 watts, with the output:
3. Gradually reduced when the bicycle is traveling above 6 km/h.
4. Cut off once the bicycle reaches 25 km/h or when the rider is not pedaling and traveling above 6 km/h.
However, unlike the previous one, the rider does not need a driving license, vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance but needs to follow the following rules:
1. The rider to wear a helmet
2. Effective brakes
3. A bell, or another audible warning device
4. A rear-facing red reflector at night
5. A white light to the front and a red light to the rear at night (both may flash) clearly visible from at least 200 metres.
More regulations can be found on the website: South Australia Ebike Regulations
5. Western Australia, WA
The main rules that apply to electric bikes are:
1. Riders must be 16 years or older to use an eBike with its motor engaged.
2. The motor can have a maximum power output up to 250 watts.
3. The bike needs human power to make it move - it is not meant to be ridden using the motor alone (like a motorcycle).
Western Australia also has requirements for eBikes that can be used on trails, as follows:
Only eBikes that fit within the definition of a ‘power assisted pedal cycle’ are allowed to be used on roads and paths. These are bikes designed to be moved using human power with some assistance from a motor.
There are also different rules for riding eBikes on roads and trails:
Only eBikes that fit within the definition of a ‘power assisted pedal cycle’ are allowed to be used on roads and paths. These are bikes designed to be moved using human power with some assistance from a motor.
More regulations can be found on the website: Western Australia Ebike Regulations
6. Tasmania, TAS
There are two categories of e-bikes permitted on the road:
A bicycle that is primarily powered by pedaling and has an auxiliary electric motor that produces no more than 200 watts of electricity.
An electric power-assisted bicycle (EPAC) with a maximum continuous power rating of 250 watts, where the power assistance:
decreases as the speed increases above 6 km/h
is cut off when the speed reaches 25 km/h or when the rider is not pedaling and the speed exceeds 6 km/h.
E-bikes that meet these requirements do not need to be registered and the rider does not need to be licensed. The bicycle road rules apply to these categories of e-bikes.
In Tasmania, ebikes use all the same rules as bicycles. When an electric bicycle has a motor and the motor power is 200W or more, it will be considered a motor vehicle. Once your electric bicycle is considered a motor vehicle, you need to register it and get a driver's license.
Laws to follow:
1. Always wear a helmet
2. Drive as far to the left as possible
3. Only two people can ride on the bike at most. You need to give way to pedestrians on the sidewalk and leave enough space to avoid hitting pedestrians
4. Obey all traffic lights applicable to vehicles
5. If riding at night, you need to turn on the front and rear lights, the front lights are white and the rear lights are red
6. You cannot ride with your phone in your hand
More regulations can be found on the website: Tasmania Ebike Regulations
7. Australian Capital Territory, ACT
The ACT's standard for e-bikes is that they are given the same road rights as bicycles if they meet the regulations:
Electric assisted pedal bicycles (e-bikes) with an electric motor with a maximum total power of no more than 200 watts, and Pedalecs (with a continuous rated power of no more than 250 watts) are exempt from registration as long as their maximum engine output does not exceed these limits.
In the ACT, there are many ebike-friendly designs, among which there are bicycle racks on buses that can accommodate 2 bicycles. They are located at the front of the bus. If it is a folding e-bike, it should be folded before boarding the bus and taken on the bus or luggage rack. On the light rail, there are four bicycle racks in each carriage, and you can bring your bicycle to the bicycle racks for storage.
For parking bicycles, there are relevant bicycle lanes at several bus stops and light rail stops, where you can lock and park and continue to use public transportation. There are also 6 bicycle cages.
More regulations can be found on the website: Australian Capital Territory Ebike Regulations
8. Northern Territory, NT
The requirements for electric bicycles in the Northern Territory are the same as elsewhere, but there are a few points to note, otherwise you may face penalties:
1. Wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle
2. Adequate lighting when riding a bicycle
3. Improper riding method
4. Carrying extra people on a bicycle
5. Using a mobile phone while riding a bicycle
6. Not giving way to pedestrians
7. Participating in competitions without permission
8. Riders not ensuring that children/teens wear special helmets
9. Leading animals
For the Northern Territory, electric bicycles must be equipped with the following parts to ensure safe riding:
1. Bell or horn in good working order
2. White light at front that works
3. Seat and handlebars adjusted to suit the rider
4. Brakes that work
5. White reflector at front
6. Red reflector at rear
7. Red light at rear that works
8. ALWAYS wear a helmet
More regulations can be found on the website: Northern Territory Ebike Regulations
DAYLYRIDE's electric bicycle power can be adjusted according to your riding style and different riding policies in different places. Click to see more suitable ebikes.
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