Bicycle Network
Electronics tampered with to provide extra power ...
Bicycle Network story on the rise of illegal e-bikes and the potential effect on cyclists and the legitimate e-bike sector.
Police in the Netherlands seized 10,500 illegal e-bikes in 2024, an indication of the emerging threat to bike rider safety posed by what are, in effect, electrically powered motorcycles.
These potentially dangerous bikes are rapidly sneaking into bike lanes and shared paths around the world, and in Australia have hit the headlines due to their burgeoning popularity with teenagers.
Mostly sold online, with their electronics tampered with to provide extra power, throttle grips fitted to avoid the need to pedal and batteries and chargers of such poor quality that home insurers are panicky, the machines are also a potential risk to the reputation and business of the legitimate e-bike sector.
Read Full Story: Bicycle Network
See also:
Bicycle Queensland Position Statement – High powered e-bikes
Bicycle Queensland (BQ) notes and is dismayed by the rapid growth of high-powered illegal e-bikes in Queensland and across Australia. BQ advocates for restrictions on import and sales of devices that don’t meet legislated standards, to ensure the safe integration e-bikes and PMDs into transport and recreation.
What is the issue?
Retailers outside of the mainstream bicycle industry are selling e-bikes which are more powerful than allowed by the Australian standard, not speed restricted to 25km/h, and can be operated by a throttle rather than requiring the user to pedal.
These illegal devices are of course attractive to many, including teenagers. They are effectively an unregistrable electric moped. Many can operate at speeds up to 60kmh.
With higher speeds and higher power outputs, these devices present increased risks to both riders and other road, bikeway or shared path users. This is of greatest concern when used in shared public spaces. Public concern is demonstrated by public meetings on both the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, dominated by residents concerned for their own safety on pathways.
BQ supports the continued growth of e-mobility devices, but it is crucial to ensure that safe, legal e-bikes and PMDs are the devices which ride this growth wave.
Clear boundaries must be established between legal pedal-assist e-bikes, which should remain subject to existing cycling rules, and high-powered e-bikes that operate beyond the legal limits.
Read full statement HERE
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