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.
TLDR
- All Lug+Carrie eBikes are safe and legal in Australia.
- eBikes with Bosch batteries are the safest bet – they are tested to the highest of safety standards
- eBikes in Australia must comply with eBike Safety Standard – EN15194
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.
- Throttle control only to 6km/h: If it has a throttle, it most likely isn’t legal 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 are getting stricter and can vary. It’s worth noting that some eBikes being advertised in Australia exceed the power limits, have higher speed capabilities, and 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.
Lithium-ion batteries are used in most eBikes because they are efficient, compact and reliable, but many of them are not tested. The things that make them incredibly efficient, also make them highly flammable under the wrong conditions. Many of the stories about lithium-ion battery fires that we’ve seen in the press involve cheap bikes with cheap batteries.
Before we started Lug+Carrie, we rigorously tested countless eBikes. We loved Tern and Riese & Müller eBikes for lots of reasons, but their manufacturing quality and commitment to safety truly set them apart. They’re also exclusively powered by a Bosch battery and motor system. Bosch is a brand synonymous with high-quality manufacturing, safety, and reliability.
Both the eBikes themselves and the Bosch components they use are designed and tested in accordance with safety standard EN15194, the gold standard for eBike safety. This European standard has been adopted in Australia and covers everything from the bike’s mechanical integrity to the safety of the electrical system. It includes comprehensive third-party safety and compliance checks at Bosch’s manufacturing facilities around the world.
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 are designed and tested in accordance with safety standard EN15194 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 and comply with safety standard EN15194. 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.
More on 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
You can also stay up to date on eBike enquiries and regulations in each state by following local Bicycle Advocacy groups. We recommend:
NSW: Bicycle NSW
QLD: Bicycle QLD
VIC: Bicycle Network
