National eBike Safety Standard

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will develop a new nationally consistent safety standard for e-bikes under Australian consumer law.

This standard will ensure there is consistency across all the states as to what battery-powered mobility devices can be sold, including e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards.

It will be informed by international standard EN-15194, which the federal government opted to re-instate as the guide for the importation, sale and road use of e-bikes in Australia late last year.

Bicycle Network has argued for the EN-15194 standard to be used as the Australian standard for more than a decade.

The ACCC’s e-bike safety standard will mark an important step in stemming the tide of injuries, deaths and battery fires caused by dangerous high-powered e-mobility devices in recent months.

It will also help to clear the good name of legal e-bikes, which has been threatened by their confusion with these illegal high-powered devices.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said: “The Albanese Government is continuing to take important steps on cracking down on unsafe and illegal e-rideables on our roads and in our communities.

“This standard will give Australians the confidence that the products being sold are legal and fit for purpose, and will help keep Australians safe.”

Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh, added: “As more Australians choose e‑bikes, it’s important that consumers can have confidence in the safety of the products they buy.

“Nationally consistent standards will provide clearer expectations for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike.”