If you’re bamboozled by the talk of e-bikes, e-motorbikes and rules around them, you’re not alone.

Part of this confusion is because road rules and bike laws are set by the states, meaning there’s no one national law that applies to the entire country.

“Welcome to the regulatory swamp,” Geoffrey Rose, Adjunct Professor in Transport Engineering at Monash University, says.

He says the waters are very muddy when it comes to regulations in this space.

Here’s a quick wrap of what each jurisdiction says about e-bikes.

What is an e-bike?

An e-bike is an electric bicycle.

Think of a normal bicycle with foot pedals, but with an electric component to assist with pedalling.

The specific definitions differ from state to state — more on that below — which makes things a little confusing.

Adding to this is the different terminology floating around out there.

Pedals are an essential part of e-bikes.()

For example, regulations refer to a 250-watt bike that complies with a European Committee for Standardisation code — but some state websites use the spelling “pedalec”, while others use the spelling “pedelec”.

And then there’s a slightly different type of bike that also goes by different names.

Victoria refers to an Electrically Power-Assisted Cycle (EPAC) on its website, while Western Australia refers to a Power Assisted Pedal Cycle (PAPC).

These bikes generally have a motor with up to 200 watts.

What is an electric motorbike?

They’re in **the same class of motorbikes you see riding on the road **with cars and trucks.

The only difference is that, instead of being powered by a petrol motor, they’re powered by electricity.

“Rules for electric-powered motorcycles are the same as for internal combustion engine motorcycles,” an ACT government spokesperson said.

“They must be registered, the rider must be licensed, wear a helmet and obey all the relevant road rules.”

Because an electric motor might be smaller than its petrol counterpart, some models can be quite slim and look similar to an electric bicycle — but that doesn’t make it an e-bike.

“A broad range of devices are considered electric motorcycles,” a Queensland government spokesperson said.

This includes things like electric dirt bikes that can only be conditionally registered, as well as “illegal devices” that can’t be ridden in public places.

Electric motorcycles are different to e-bikes.(Supplied: Queensland Police)

What’s the difference between an e-bike and an e-motorbike?

Specific definitions can get very technical but here’s the difference in very basic, general terms:

• **E-bikes: **Mostly powered by people pedalling
• E-motorbikes: Powered by electric motors

However, because they sound quite similar — and in some cases, they also look quite similar — it’s easy to get the two mixed up.

An electric motorbike is on the left and an e-bike is on the right.(Queensland Police/ABC Radio Sydney: Rosemary Bolger)

Are e-bikes legal in Australia?

Yes, certain e-bike models are legal.

But only if they meet specific definitions.

Here’s a breakdown of the rules depending on which jurisdiction you’re in:

ACT

The ACT government allows motor-assisted pedal cycles to be used like regular bicycles so long as they are either:

• Fitted with electric motors with up to 200 watts combined maximum power
• Pedalecs with up to 250 watts continuous rated power

However, petrol-powered bikes or mini-bikes aren’t allowed on ACT roads or public places like paths or cycle lanes.

“Bicycles with an internal combustion engine are not permitted on ACT roads,” the ACT government’s website says.

*Source: *ACT government

New South Wales

There are two types of e-bikes that are allowed on New South Wales roads and road-related areas:

Electrically power-assisted cycles

An electrically power-assisted cycle has a maximum continuous rated power of up to 500 watts.

This power output must be progressively reduced as the bicycle’s speed increases beyond 6 kilometres per hour.

And power must be cut off when:

• Your bicycle reaches a speed of 25kph
• You stop pedalling and the speed exceeds 6kph

Power-assisted pedal cycles

A power-assisted pedal cycle has one or more motors attached with a combined maximum power output of up to 200 watts. This bicycle:

• Cannot be propelled only by the motor/s
• Must weigh less than 50kg (including batteries)
• Have a height-adjustable seat

Petrol-powered bicycles and other powered bicycles that don’t meet these specifications are illegal.

*Source: *NSW government

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory government allows the use of e-bikes on roads and shared paths provided they are either:

Power-assisted cycles:

• Cycles equipped with pedals that may be used as a means of propulsion and an engine, motor or other device which is capable of producing a power output not exceeding 200 watts

Pedalecs

• A bicycle with an electric motor that falls within a class of power-assisted pedal cycle defined in European Standard EN 15194
• A maximum motor power output of up to 250 watts
• Restricting motor power output when pedalec reaches 25kph
• Requires the rider to pedal to access the power

*Source: *NT government

Queensland

The state allows the public use of e-bikes with electric motors provided they:

• Are only capable of** generating no more than 200 watts** of power in total, and the motor is pedal-assist only
• Have an electric motor capable of generating up to 250 watts of power, but the motor cuts out at 25kph and the pedals must be used to keep the motor operating. These must comply with the European Standard for Power Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194) and must have a permanent marking on it that shows it complies with this standard

Bikes equipped with the following cannot be ridden in public areas:

• A petrol-powered or internal combustion engine
• An electric motor capable of generating over 200 watts (that isn’t an electrically power-assisted cycle)
• An electric motor that is the primary source of power

“Any device that exceeds the legal limits for an e-bike is considered an electric motorcycle,” a Queensland spokesperson said.

“This includes devices with pedals that allow throttle control above 6kph or any motor assistance above 25kph.”

*Source: *Queensland government

South Australia

South Australia allows the public use of the following e-bikes:

**Power-assisted pedal cycles: **Which have an electric motor(s) with a combined maximum power output of up to 200 watts and are not propelled by only the motors:

• The primary source of propulsion is through human power (pedalling)
• The other source of propulsion must be an electric motor(s)
• The maximum power output of the motor(s) cannot exceed 200 watts
• Have a tare weight of less than 50kg including any batteries
• Have a height-adjustable seat
• The bicycle cannot be propelled exclusively by a motor and the rider must use pedals in order to set or keep the vehicle in motion

**Electrically power-assisted cycles: **Which have a maximum continuous electric power output not exceeding 250 watts and are not propelled only by the motor:

• The primary source of propulsion is through human power (pedalling)
• Has a maximum continuous power of 250 watts, of which the output progressively reduces as the cycle’s travel speed increases above 6kph and cuts off once the cycle reaches 25kph or the cyclist is not pedalling and the travel speed exceeds 6kph

“Any bicycle with an internal combustion engine fitted is not a power-assisted bicycle and cannot be ridden on South Australian roads or road-related areas,” the South Australian government’s website says.

*Source: *South Australian government

Tasmania

Currently in Tasmania, two types of e-bikes are permitted.

They are regulated based on the power of the motor and the speed at which electrical assistance stops.

Both are bikes that are pedalled and assisted by an electric motor.

**Power-assisted pedal cycles: **Limited to 200 watts, and they are primarily propelled through pedalling with an auxiliary motor.

**Electrically power-assisted bicycles: **Limited to 250 watts where power assistance is progressively reduced as travel speed increases above 6kph and the power assistance cuts off when the speed of the e-bike exceeds 25kph, or 6kph where the cyclist is not pedalling.

E-bikes that do not meet these requirements would be regulated as motorbikes and can still be used on-road if the rider is licensed and the e-bike is registered, or they can be used on private property without licensing or registration.

Source: Tasmanian government spokesperson

Victoria

Victoria allows the use of the following e-bikes on public roads and road-related areas:

E-bike type	Detail
Electrically power-assisted cycle (EPAC)	EPACs are the most common type of e-bike available today.They have:+ at least one auxiliary propulsion motor + a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts + a motor that provides power assistance when the rider is pedalling, and only up to 25kph + a motor that does not provide power at speeds higher than 25kph They cannot be propelled by a throttle (except up to 6kph — sometimes referred to as “walk mode”).
Power-assisted bicycles with a power output of 200 watts or less.	This category includes power-assisted pedal cycles which are not commonly available in Australian retailers anymore.E-bikes in this category must not produce a combined maximum ungoverned continuous rated power output of more than 200 watts.Due to their lower power output these bicycles have less stringent requirements compared to an EPAC, and exist primarily to allow legacy devices.

“You could get a significant penalty if you ride a bicycle with a power output above these limits,” Victoria’s bike law booklet says.

“Motorised bicycles that go above these power outputs might be categorised as motorcycles even if they look like a bicycle.”

The following bikes can only be ridden on private property:

• E-bikes with toggle switches which allow the bike to override the legal power and wattage limits outlined above
• An EPAC that continues to provide motorised power above 25kph
• Any bicycle with a combined maximum continuous rated power output greater than 250 watts
• A device with no functional pedals
• A bicycle fitted with an internal combustion engine (eg petrol-powered)

They are considered an unregistered motor vehicle and heavy fines apply for riding in public areas.

*Source: *Victorian government

Western Australia

The following e-bikes can be used on Western Australian roads and paths:

• E-bikes with a petrol or electric motor up to 200 watts
• E-bikes with an electric motor of up to 250 watts if it complies with European Standard EN 15194 (a Pedalec)

E-bikes that don’t meet the definition of a power-assisted pedal cycle are not allowed to be ridden on WA roads or paths.

This includes any bike that:

• Is mostly designed to be “driven” by the motor instead of using human power
• Can be ridden using a throttle alone (no human power)
• Has a motor or motors with a power output higher than 250 watts

And Western Australia has age limits on e-bikes, saying “riders must be at least 16 years old to ride an eBike with the motor engaged”.

*Source: *WA government

Why is it so confusing?

Part of this is because **there isn’t one standard definition of an e-bike **in state laws.

To understand why that is, we need a bit of a history lesson in modes of transport.

“Some time ago, we had our own regulations for a power-assisted bicycle (PAB),” Professor Rose says.

“The idea was to define a vehicle which has motor assistance but in terms of the road rules would be regarded as a ‘bicycle’ and therefore not needing to be registered or insured or for the rider to have a license.

“In those old days, there were internal combustion engines which could be fitted to bikes to turn them into a power-assisted bike.

“To be regarded as a PAB, the old rules said that the motor had to be less than 200 watts.

“Those PABs were allowed to be throttle-controlled and the motor could not enable them to travel above 25 kph (from memory).”

But this definition didn’t match up with what the global e-bike marketplace was offering.

E-bike is a simple umbrella term for bicycles with electric motors, but the legal definitions get quite technical.(ABC South West WA: Pip Waller)

“A number of years ago there was an epiphany that having a regulation which was different from just about everywhere else in the world meant we saw very, very few PABs in the marketplace here and very little update,” Professor Rose said.

“The idea emerged to adopt the European Standard for an EPAC — electrically power-assisted bicycle.

“Because there were still PABs about, both definitions were retained (PAB and EPAC) and it was OK so long as a bike met one or other set of the criteria.

“Part of the confusion today is because of that grandfathered provision to retain reference in parts to PAB.

“That adoption of the European standard meant that there was a broader range of models which could be imported and, as anticipated, that meant that adoption of e-bikes grew.”

E-bikes have electronic motors that assist with pedalling.(ABC South West WA: Pip Waller)

Check before you buy

Just because some bikes are legal, doesn’t mean every e-bike for sale meets state requirements.

Here’s a warning from the Western Australian government that speaks to that:

“Not all electric bicycles sold in WA are legal to ride on WA roads and paths,.

“Always check before you buy.”

Can you ride an electric bike on the road?

Yes.

E-bikes **can be legally ridden on the road like a normal bike — **but only if those bikes meet the definitions we mentioned above.

Riders have to follow the same road rules as cyclists.

Can you ride an e-bike on a footpath?

If your e-bike meets the requirements above, it’s essentially treated like a regular bicycle.

So, to find out if you can ride an e-bike on footpaths, you have to look at the rules for bicycles.

Most allow all riders of all ages to cycle on footpaths.

But Victoria and New South Wales have age limits.

In Victoria, only children aged 12 and younger can ride on the footpath, without exception.

That changes to children under 16 if you’re in New South Wales.

Tap the boxes below to see what each state and territory says about cyclists on footpaths.

ACT

In the ACT, a cyclist may ride on shared paths and footpaths.

When doing so, a cyclist must keep to the left and must give way to pedestrians.

*Source: *ACT government

New South Wales

You can ride on the footpath if:

• you’re under 16 years of age
• you’re 16 years or older and are supervising a child under 16 riding a bike

If you’re 16 years or older and not supervising a child under 16 years riding a bike, you can’t ride on the footpath.

You can ride a bike on shared paths.

You must keep left and give way to pedestrians on shared paths.

*Source: *NSW government

Queensland

On footpaths and shared paths, you share the space with pedestrians.

You must:

• keep left and give way to all pedestrians
• always ride to the left of bicycle riders coming toward you

*Source: *Queensland government

Northern Territory

You must follow these rules to make sure you safely share the footpath or bike path with other users:

• keep to the left of any oncoming bicycle rider or pedestrian
• give way to pedestrians
• use your bell or horn to warn others, especially when riding up behind them

You are permitted to ride slowly across a road on a children’s crossing or pedestrian crossing.

Riding slowly means at a walking pace.

You must do the following:

• give way to pedestrians on crossings
• only ride across a signalised crossing if it is showing a green bicycle and/or green pedestrian crossing light

*Source: *NT government

South Australia

Cyclists of all ages are allowed to ride on footpaths.

*Source: *SA government

Tasmania

A Tasmanian government spokesperson said people could ride e-bikes on footpaths, “unless otherwise signed”.

Here’s what it says in the state’s road rules handbook:

“You are allowed to ride on the footpath, unless there is a No bicycles sign.

“Children under the age of 12 can ride on any footpath.

“You must give way to pedestrians and ride in a manner that does not inconvenience or endanger others.

“You are allowed to cross at pedestrian crossings but you must stop as near as practical to the crossing.

“Then you should ride across slowly and safely, giving way to pedestrians.”

*Source: *Tasmanian road rules handbook

Victoria

The footpath rules weren’t written on the state’s website titled “Cycling Rules” when we checked.

However, the site did link to the Bike law: a bicycle rider’s guide to road rules in Victoria booklet, which says the following:

You can only ride on a footpath if you:

• are a child 12 years old or under
• are 13 years or over and riding with a child who is 12 years old or under
• are 18 years or over and riding with a young child in a child seat attached to your bicycle or you have a child pedalling on a bike attachment connected to your bicycle
• have a medical certificate that says you have a disability that makes it difficult to ride on the road
• are 13 or over and riding with someone who has a medical certificate that says they have a disability that makes it difficult to ride on the road

If you have a disability and are riding on a footpath, you must be able to show police or an authorised person a medical certificate if you are asked

When riding on a footpath, you must keep to the left and give way to pedestrians

Western Australia

Cyclists of all ages may ride on footpaths in WA, unless otherwise signed.

Cyclists must ride in single file on footpaths.

Pedestrians, including mobility scooters and motorised wheelchair users, always have right of way.

Cyclists should use their bell to alert other shared path users that a bicycle is approaching.

Cyclists should use their bell to alert pedestrians/mobility scooter operators/motorised wheelchair users that a bicycle is approaching.

Drivers must give way to cyclists at driveways, but cyclists should slow down to ensure they have been seen.

Animals must not be tied to a moving bike.

Animals and children on footpaths can be unpredictable. Cyclists should slow and cycle to the conditions.

Cyclists and eRiders no longer need to dismount at pedestrian crossings and can simply ride across. This new rule applies when the rider enters the crossing from the connected path and not the road. Riders must not exceed 10kph and give way to any pedestrians when riding over the crossing.

Source: WA government

Do you need a licence for an e-bike?

No.

If you have an e-bike that meets your jurisdiction’s definition of a legal e-bike,** you do not need a licence** to ride it.

Do you have to register an e-bike?

No.

If you’re riding an e-bike that meets your jurisdiction’s definition of a legal e-bike,** it does not need to be registered.**

What are the speed limits for e-bikes?

That’s not clear.

Here’s a summary of what each state and territory says about e-bike speed limits online:

ACT

There’s nothing on the ACT government’s website on cycling about specific speed limits, but an ACT government spokesperson told us the following:

“The default speed limit (50kph) applies to all bikes on paths except where they are using a pedestrian crossing (10kph) or where otherwise signposted.

“If they are riding on roads or other road-related areas, then the signposted speed limit applies.

“E-bikes and Pedalecs are not speed-limited in their design.”

This is a different set of rules for devices that fit the ACT’s definition of personal mobility devices (PMDs), which includes things like e-scooters.

“[They] must not travel faster than 25kph on shared paths and no faster than 15kph on footpaths,” the spokesperson said.

“PMDs must not be ridden on the road unless there is no path or it is impractical to use the path.”

You can find out more about the PMD rules on the ACT’s dedicated website.

New South Wales:

The New South Wales government has a questions-and-answers website about e-bikes.

Here’s what it says about speed limits:

How fast can I go on an e-bike?

The electric motor should not assist the rider when travelling more than 25kph but does not prevent the rider travelling faster with their own pedalling or going downhill.

*Source: *NSW government

Queensland

“By design, a compliant e-bike must not be capable of travelling more than 25kph under motorised power,” a Queensland government spokesperson said.

“All signed speed limits also apply to e-bike riders.

“For example, speed limits in shared zones (typically 10kph) and specific signed limits on shared paths.

“There is no specific speed limit for an e-bike on a footpath.”

The state government’s dedicated e-bikes website** does not explicitly list speed limits.** However, it does say that the motors of bikes with up to 250 watts must cut out at 25kph.

While the government does have speed limits on its personal mobility devices website — which include things like e-scooters and e-skateboards — it says that “vehicles with pedals” do not count as personal mobility devices.

Northern Territory

“The advisory speed limit for e-bikes is 20kph on the regulatory shared path signs in the Northern Territory, however, these have no legal status under the Traffic Regulations 1999,” a Northern Territory government spokesperson said.

The territory’s website on electric scooters or bikes** doesn’t mention speed limits**.

Its website for cyclists doesn’t mention speed limits for riding on a footpath, only that cyclists must go “at a walking pace” at children’s and pedestrian crossings.

South Australia

South Australia’s power-assisted bicycle website** doesn’t mention speed limits**.

However, it does say that the motors of bikes with 250 watts must cut out at 25kph.

Tasmania

The state government’s dedicated e-bikes website** does not explicitly list speed limits**, however, it does say that the motors of bikes with 250 watts must cut out at 25kph.

“[Riders] need to obey the posted speed limits and default speed limit where speed signs are absent,” a Tasmanian government spokesperson said.

“There is no default speed limit for e-bikes on footpaths, but riders must obey any posted speed limits.”

Victoria

Victoria’s dedicated e-bikes website** does not explicitly list speed limits**, however, it does say that the motors of bikes with 250 watts must have “a motor that does not provide power at speeds higher than 25kph”.

The state’s bike law booklet says cyclists must follow the signed speed limits.

“In an area shared with pedestrians and marked by a shared zone sign, the speed limit is 10kph,” the booklet says.

A Victorian government spokesperson said there were no signed speed limits for shared paths, which were slightly different to shared zones and were “designed for pedestrians and active transport”.

Western Australia

“The speed limit of the road or path applies,” a spokesperson told the ABC.

The section on the state government’s website about e-bikes doesn’t mention speed limits, but says that a pedalec’s power assistance must cut out “once a speed of 25kph is reached”.

Further up the page, to the general cycling rules, it says riders must not exceed 10kph when approaching a pedestrian crossing on a footpath.

*Source: *WA government

Posted 36 minutes agoSun 2 Nov 2025 at 12:31am, updated 30 minutes agoSun 2 Nov 2025 at 12:37am