Electric bikes are transforming commutes, flattening hills, and making it easier to carry cargo – and they’re incredibly fun. It’s no wonder their popularity across Australia is soaring. However, recent news about eBike safety—especially concerning batteries, public transport, and legal speed limits—has led to some uncertainty, particularly with ongoing safety inquiries in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Many reputable eBike companies are selling safe and legal eBikes, but gaps in regulations have led to unsafe eBikes being sold in Australia too.
At Lug+Carrie, we’re here to help you take the guesswork out of choosing the right eBike. Read on for our guide to choosing a safe and legal eBike in Australia.
Understanding Australian EBike Laws: A State-by-State Guide
To keep everyone on the road and paths safe, Australia has specific rules for eBikes. When it meets these rules, we consider it a bicycle and you can ride it without registration or a license. If it doesn’t, we class it as a motor vehicle, which means a whole different set of rules apply.
Reputable sellers, like Lug+Carrie, consistently ensure that their eBikes meet all local and international standards for power, speed, and pedal assistance.
The main things to know are simple and easy to remember:
- Maximum Assisted Speed: The motor should only assist you up to 25 km/h. You can always pedal faster, but the motor won’t help once you hit that speed.
- Pedal Assist Only: The motor’s power should only kick in when you’re pedalling. If it has a throttle that can move the bike without you pedalling, you most likely cannot legally use it on public roads or paths. This is why Lug+Carrie Tern and Riese & Muller eBikes are designed strictly with pedal assist, ensuring full compliance.
Here’s a quick look at the power limits for each state and territory:
- New South Wales: The motor’s maximum continuous rated power output can be up to 500 watts.
- All other states: The maximum continuous rated power output is 250 watts.
These rules are in place to ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone, keeping a nice balance between a helpful boost and traditional cycling.
What are the consequences of riding an illegal eBike?
Consequences for using an illegal electric bike can vary, but it’s worth noting that some eBikes being advertised in Australia exceed the power limits, have higher speed capabilities, and even feature throttles. Certain websites even mention the ability to derestrict motors and install throttles upon request. However, using such illegal features can have serious implications, especially in the event of an incident.
An extreme case in Australia involved a man who hit a child on a footpath while riding an electric bike with a power output of 1961 watts. Authorities found him guilty of multiple offences, including driving on a path, driving while disqualified, and using an unregistered and uninsured vehicle. In this case, the bike was not considered a bicycle under road rules but rather a motor-propelled vehicle.
Beyond the Rules: Why Battery Safety Matters
Once you know your bike is legal, there’s another important factor for peace of mind: electrical safety. While Australian regulations mainly focus on an eBike’s roadworthiness, your personal safety—both on the road and when charging at home—is all about the quality of the electrical components.
A high-quality lithium-ion battery system is designed to handle Australia’s unique climate. Our sunny days and salty coastal air, which make riding so enjoyable, can also be tough on low-quality electrical equipment. When you choose a bike with components designed for these conditions, you can ride with confidence, knowing you have a reliable and safe battery system. Lug+Carrie only works with top suppliers like Bosch who rigorously test all electrical components.
Your Next Step: Choosing an E-Bike You Can Count On
Many eBikes brought into Australia don’t meet these safety standards. The gaps in regulation have led to unsafe eBikes being sold. We recommend you look for brands that go the extra mile with legal compliance and, most importantly, electrical safety.
Here’s what to look for when you’re shopping:
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- Certified Battery Systems: This is a big one. Look for batteries that meet internationally recognised safety standards, such as UL 2849 for eBike electrical systems. These certifications mean the battery has been put through a range of tests to ensure it’s safe from fire, explosion, and electrical hazards. This is a non-negotiable at Lug+Carrie and why we partner with suppliers like Bosch. Reliable batteries power our Tern and Riese & Muller eBikes and are known for passing these rigorous tests.
- Reputable Brands: Established brands invest heavily in proper design, manufacturing, and testing. They are committed to quality and safety. Be wary of unbranded eBikes or deals that seem too good to be true.
- Clear Specs: The manufacturer should clearly state the motor’s power output and confirm that the assistance cuts off at 25 km/h. If they’re vague about these details, it’s a good sign to look elsewhere.
- Robust Frame Testing: A great eBike is more than just the motor. Make sure the frame, fork, and other components are tested to handle the bike’s weight and speed. This is especially true if you plan to carry kids or groceries. Certifications like EFBE Prüftechnik GmbH are excellent indicators of robust engineering just as you’d find with Lug+Carrie eBikes.
- Local Support: A brand that offers a clear warranty and accessible local support is showing a strong commitment to their product and their customers. This is a cornerstone of the Lug+Carrie experience, designed to make eBike ownership easy and worry-free.
- Proof of Australian compliance: Any eBike seller should be able to show you proof of their Australian compliance, if they can’t, shop elsewhere.
Your buying checklist:
- Does it have a Bosch motor and battery? If the answer is yes, you can be sure it meets the highest safety standards.
- Is it compliant with eBike safety standard EN15194? This is a European standard that has been adopted in Australia and covers maximum speed and power output.
- Is the retailer a trusted brand with a local team that can support you and service the eBike?
Lug+Carrie eBikes are safe and legal
We started Lug+Carrie to help Aussies replace short car trips, cut carbon and build sustainable cities. We do this by making eBike ownership easy and safe.
Since 2019, we’ve only sold eBikes that meet all local and international standards for power, speed and pedal assistance. We go above and beyond to work with top suppliers like Bosch, who test all batteries, motors and chargers hard (they pass international standard UL 2849). In six years, we have never had a battery fire.
Our frames are also rigorously tested to world-leading EFBE Prüftechnik GmbH standards, so you can be sure the frame and fork are built to handle every ride.
This commitment to quality helps you feel confident that you’re riding home on a legal, reliable, and, most importantly, safe new mode of transport.
Ready to make a Good Move? Explore our range of safe and legal eBikes and come and visit us in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane to try one for yourself.
Read more about eBike safety
Find out more about Battery safety in our blog post here: EBike battery safety, all you need to know
For more on eBike safety, regulations and State inquiries: Talking eBike safety with Benjamin Carr, Lug+Carrie Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
