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INFORMATION
AUSTRALIAN E-BIKE LAWS
NEW AUSTRALIAN E-BIKE LAWS
250W
electric bikes are now legal in Australia but there are stipulations on this
new category that might not suit many E-bike riders, we recommend reading up on
the rules before deciding whether you want a regular 200w system without all
the limiters in place or a new 250W system. The Australian Government has seen
fit to adopt the current French standards (EN15194) on electric bikes; these
guidelines show little foresight into the Australian bicycle scene but are to
be expected from our Nanny leaders. This new legislation is centred around
“Pedelec” bikes with a new power limit of 250W, but the electrical system being
speed limited to 25kmh and PAS (pedal activated motor system) are the two main
requirements…that’s all well and good and our road legal 250W package will have
both the PAS sensor and the 25kmh speed sensor included, but does it really
make any sense to cut the power to the motor once the bike reaches 25kmh? Most
fit riders can sit on 30kmh without an electric motor, and a 200w setup which
is still perfectly legal to use without PAS and does not have a speed limiter,
can sit on 30kmh easily with light pedaling.
AUSTRALIAN STATE LAWS
This
is only to be used as a general guide. Legislation and road rules are subject
to change therefore you are strongly advised to check your local jurisdiction
for up to date information. All bicycle riding regulations (helmets, road rules
etc.) apply equally to motorised bicycle riders.
Motorised Bicycles and Foot Scooters
Introduction
Bicycles and foot scooters
may be used on roads, even if they have an auxiliary motor fitted to them. This
is provided the motor has a power output of less than 200 watts.
Under the road rules, these
vehicles are defined as bicycles. As such, they may be used in all places that
bicycles are used and the riders of these vehicles must comply with all Road
Rules that apply to bicycle riders.
Where can motorised bicycles and motorised
foot scooters be ridden?
Motorised bicycles and motorised foot scooters with a power output of less than
200 watts can be ridden wherever bicycles are permitted to be ridden. They may
be ridden on all roads (except most urban freeways), shared footways,
segregated footways and bicycle paths.
Motorised bicycles and motorised foot scooters may not be ridden on footpaths,
unless the rider;
a. is under 12 years of age; or
b. is accompanying and supervising a cyclist who is under 12 years of age; or
c. has a physical or medical condition that makes it unsafe or undesirable for
them to ride on the road.
People riding motorised bicycles and motorised foot scooters must also
wear an approved bicycle helmet.
What if the power of the motor is more than 200
Watts?
Motorised bicycles and motorised foot scooters that have a motor with a power
output of more than 200 watts are not permitted to be used on any land to which
the public has access. These vehicles may not be used on roads, shared footways
or on bicycle paths.
Source: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
NEW
Motorised scooters and mini-bikes
In
NSW any device with a motor must be registered for use on a road or road
related area unless it is specifically exempt.
Motorised
foot scooters, miniature motorbikes (mini-bikes) and other motorised
recreational devices do not meet minimum Australian design standards for safety
and so cannot be registered. This means they must not be used on roads or in
any public areas such as footpaths, car parks and parks. There are heavy
penalties for using unregistered and uninsured vehicles. Police can also
seize and take possession of unregistered vehicles. There are some retailers
who sell these vehicles and fail to warn customers that they cannot be used on
roads or in public areas.
The following vehicles (irrespective of the power output of the motor)
are banned from use on roads or in public areas.
Motorised foot
scooters (with or without a seat) – electric/petrol engine
Mini-bikes
Motorised human
transporters such as the WheelMan,
or SEGWAY
Motorised
skateboards – electric/petrol engine
Exemptions
Motor assisted pedal cycles with electric or petrol
engines are exempt from registration, provided the maximum engine output power
does not exceed 200 watts. Riders must follow the same road rules as for
pedal cycles without motors, including wearing a helmet.
Source: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/bicycle/index.html
Rules for motorised bicycles
A motorised bicycle is a bicycle to which an
electric motor is attached. The motor must not be capable of generating more
than 200 watts of power. It is illegal to ride a bicycle on roads or
road-related areas (such as paths) if the bicycle has an internal combustion
engine (for example, a petrol or diesel motor) attached.
Motorised bicycles are required to adhere to the same
road rules as bicycles and have the same rights and responsibilities. Motorised
bicycles are exempt from registration and compulsory third party insurance.
A two-wheeled vehicle with an internal combustion
engine, or an electric motor capable of generating over 200 watts, must comply
with the Australian Design Rules* requirements
for a motorbike if it is to be ridden on roads or road-related areas.
When riding a motorised bicycle you must:
Wear an approved bicycle helmet securely fitted and fastened.
The motorised bicycle must
have:
A bell or horn
At least one effective brake.
When riding at night you must display:
a white light at the front, visible for 200 m
a red light at the back, visible for 200 m
a red
reflector at the back, visible for 50 m.
You can ride a motorised bicycle on all roads
and paths, except where bicycles are specifically excluded.
You do not need to have a driver licence to ride a
motorised bicycle.
If you have a question about motorised foot scooters
or motorised bicycles, please contact
Power-assisted bicycles
To be classified as a bicycle, a power-assisted pedal
cycle must not have a motor that exceeds 200 watts in total output.
Power-assistance greater than 200 watts (1/4 HP) requires the bicycle to be
registered as a motor vehicle.
A rider of a power-assisted
bicycle must be at least 16 years of age, if the power assistance is engaged.
Source: http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/1976.asp
Introduction
This
Bulletin explains the legality of powered scooters, skateboards and bicycles,
and miniature motor cycles etc.
Tasmanian Legislation
The
Tasmanian Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 defines a motor vehicle, "motor
vehicle" means a vehicle that is built to be propelled by a motor that
forms part of the vehicle but does not include;
an
aircraft, or
a motor
vehicle that travels only on a railway, tramway or other fixed track, or
a pedal cycle
with an auxiliary motor (or motors) with a power output (or combined output) of
not more than 200 watts; or
a
self-propelled lawn mower that is not capable of travelling at a speed of more
than 10km/h; or
a
self-propelled wheelchair that is not capable of travelling at a speed of more
than 10km/h, or
a
self-propelled vehicle
not
capable of travelling at a speed of more than 10km/h; and
designed
for off-road work in construction, maintenance or warehouse operation; and
Only used
on a public street for the purpose of loading or unloading the vehicle onto
another vehicle, or manoeuvring at a work site.
Any scooter
with a motor is considered to be a motor vehicle.
A motor
vehicle must be registered if it is parked or used on a public street or a road
related area. A motor vehicle must not be used on a footpath or shared pathway.
Policy
Any motorised vehicle which is not excluded from the definition of
"motor vehicle" must be registered if it is used on a public street
or a road related area.
To be eligible for registration all vehicles must comply with relevant
Australian Design Rules and the Vehicle Standards and be fitted with an
approved Australian compliance plate.
Any vehicle which is not fitted with an approved Australian compliance
plate is not eligible for registration, and must not be used on a public street
or road related area.
A pedal cycle with an auxiliary motor (or motors) with a power output
(or combined output) of not more than 200 watts does not require to be
registered and may be used on public streets and on road related areas. The
rider does not need to hold a current drivers licence but must wear an approved bicycle helmet and obey
all Road Rules.
Source:
http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/standards/scooters
The Motor Vehicles Act 1959, defines a power assisted
pedal cycle to be a pedal cycle with an auxillary power drive attatched up to a
maximum of 200 Watts.
Part 2, Division 1, Section 9B, covers the exemption of registration for a
power assisted pedal cycle.
Part 3, Division 1, Section 25, states that a licence is not needed for a power
assisted pedal cycle.
Source: SA Motor Vehicles Act 1959.
A power-assisted cycle is essentially a
complying bicycle that has been fitted with an engine or motor of some
description. Powered cycles are defined in the NT Motor Vehicles Act as;
A bicycle/tricycle that is
equipped:
a) with pedals as a means of
propulsion; and
b) with an engine or motor
which is capable of producing a power
output not exceeding 200
watts.
These bicycles are not
required to be registered and can be ridden
on the road network and in
public places. All regulations relating to
bicycles, including the
requirement to wear helmets, apply.
General Information
The use of motorized scooters
and power assisted cycles on private property
is not regulated.
Source: http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/mvr/vehiclestandards/pdf/ib-v56-2002-12.pdf
A.C.T.
Power Assisted Bicycles
Treated the same as
un-powered bicycles if the power output is not more than 200 watts.
If the power output
is more than 200 watts, the vehicle needs to meet registration and licensing
requirements of a moped or motorcycle. These vehicles can only be used on the
road.
In
the ACT, the registration provisions do not apply to pedal cycles that have one
or more auxiliary propulsion motors with a combined maximum power output of not
more than 200 watts. These vehicles are defined as a bicycle under road
transport law and are afforded all the rights and obligations as un-powered
bicycles. They may be used on roads and road related areas, including bicycle
paths, bicycle lanes and footpaths.
(Under ACT legislation, the definition of a road related area includes
footpaths, nature strips, car parks, the lake foreshores, as well as parks and
reserves and other places open to the public). Bicycles fitted with an auxiliary motor that
has a maximum power of more than 200 watts must comply with normal registration
requirements for mopeds or motorcycles depending on the category into which
they fit. These vehicles are precluded from using footpaths, bicycle paths and
bicycle lanes. Riders of this type of vehicle are required to hold a motorcycle
licence and wear an approved motorcycle helmet.
