Shoppers are urged to make sure their e-bike purchase is legal and compliant. Photo: Facebook.
Christmas buyers have been urged to make sure e-bikes are compliant with a reintroduced national safety standard so they’re not breaking the law.
The Commonwealth confirmed it would reinstate EN15194, the European standard for electrically powered bikes. This standard must be met for such a vehicle to be considered street legal.
This means electric-assist bikes must have a continuous motor power rating not exceeding 250 watts and the motor assistance must cut out when the bike reaches a speed of 25 km/h (for pedal assist only).
An electric bicycle that does not meet these requirements is legally an electric motorbike. Therefore, it must be registered, insured, ridden by someone over the age of 16 years and 9 months, and only where motor vehicles are permitted.
Pedal Power executive director Cecily Michaels said taking on board the new national standard was particularly crucial over the Christmas period.
“We’re seeing a rise in high-powered electric bikes being used on shared paths and in parks by children and teenagers,” she said.
“Many parents don’t realise these are classified as motor vehicles, not bicycles. What looks like a fun gift can in fact put young riders, and others, at serious risk.”
