Electric bikes (e-bikes)

Bicycle road rules

E-bike riders must follow the same road rules as regular bicycles. 

This means:

• always wear a properly fitted helmet
• do not use a hand-held phone while riding and
• use lights in low light.

Find out more about the road rules for bicycles.

E-bike requirements

Registration and licencing are not required if an e-bike meets the requirements below. 

Riding an e-bike that does not meet the requirements on public roads and road-related areas is against the law. This includes riding on bike paths, share paths and footpaths. 

If an e-bike does not meet the requirements, riders will be charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle and/or driving a motor vehicle without a licence, which carries significant penalties. 

Look for a legal e-bike that complies with the standard for Electric Power Assisted Bicycles (EPAC) EN15194 before purchasing.

There are two types of permitted e-bikes:

All e-bikes must have working pedals.

1. Electrically power-assisted cycle (EPAC)

EPACs are the most common type of e-bike available. They:

• have a motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts
• provide assistance only when the rider is pedalling
• cut off assistance at 25km/h
• cannot be propelled by a throttle (except up to 6km/h – sometimes referred to as “walk mode”).

Components	Example	Regulation	Compliance
Throttle Switch		Electric power / Walk assist without pedalling - up to 6 km/h	Allowed
Throttle Switch		Electric power without pedalling over 6 km/h	Not Allowed
Motor and Pedals		Electric assistance with pedalling Up to 25* km/h, and Up to 250 watts continuous rated power	Allowed
Motor and Pedals		Electric assist with pedalling Over 25* km/h, or Over 250 watts continuous rated power	Not Allowed

* A rider can travel faster than 25km/h by pedalling only, without any electric assist.

2. Power-Assisted Pedal Cycle (PAPC)

This category includes power-assisted pedal cycles with a maximum power output of 200 watts or less (peak power output). 

These low powered bikes are not commonly available in Australia. They:

• have up to 200 watts maximum power output.
   

Components	Example	Regulation	Compliance
Throttle switch and Pedals		Electric assist with pedalling; and Up to 200 watts maximum power output	Allowed
Motor and Pedals		Electric assist with pedalling; and Up to 200 watts maximum power output	Allowed

E-bikes that can't be ridden on public roads

You cannot ride an e-bike on public roads and road-related areas if they:

• have no functional pedals
• have toggle switches or other tampering that allows the e-bike to override the legal power and wattage limits
• an EPAC that provides motorised power above 25km/h
• a combined maximum continuous rated power output greater than 250 watts
• fitted with an internal combustion engine (e.g. petrol powered)
• an electric powered dirt bike (e.g. high power, high speed, no working pedals).

These e-bikes can only be ridden on private property. They are unregistered motor vehicles and if used on public road or road related areas (such as bike paths or share paths) significant fines of over $1000 apply. 

Converted e-bikes

Converted e-bikes are pedal bikes that have been modified with an electric motor, controller and battery. 

To ride a converted e-bike legally on public roads and shared paths in Victoria, it must meet the e-bike requirements above. 

Converted e-bikes are banned on trains

Converted e-bikes are banned from trains and within public transport ticketing areas in Victoria, even if the conversion was carried out by a bicycle mechanic. This is because converted e-bikes are at higher risk of catching fire due to DIY installations, poor wiring, low-quality or mismatched components, and batteries that don’t meet safety standards. Find out more.

Battery safety

E-bikes typically use lithium-ion batteries which can pose a fire risk, particularly if they are poorly manufactured or improperly used, stored, or charged.

You should purchase devices, batteries and chargers from reputable suppliers and always follow the manufacturer’s directions.  Look for compliance with standards including AS/NZS 3820, UL2849 or EN15194 and the Regulatory Compliance Mark.

Improper charging is one of the leading causes of lithium-ion battery fires. To reduce the risks of a battery fire:
 

• only use chargers that are supplied with the device or certified third-party charging equipment that is compatible with the battery specifications.
• don’t charge on soft or flammable surfaces.
• don’t use damaged chargers, cords or batteries that show signs of swelling or bulging, leaking, overheating or signs of mechanical damage.
• don’t leave batteries or devices unattended whilst charging and once fully charged, disconnect them from the charger.

For more information on lithium-ion battery safety, visit:

• Fire Rescue Victoria – Battery safety
• Energy Safe Victoria – Lithium-ion battery safety
• Country Fire Authority – Charging and battery safety