The Hon Catherine King MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
Via email: [email protected]

Dear Minister,

Re: Federal regulation and safety of e-bikes

We write to express our deep concern about the number of dangerous incidents involving unregulated or modified electric bicycles (e-bikes) that exceed legal power or speed limits. Of particular concern is the lack of federal regulation and standards for e-bikes, which is putting riders and pedestrians at risk. With multiple recent fatalities involving e-bikes, it is clear that both State and Federal Governments have been too slow to act.

While we recognise the important role that e-bikes play in increasing transport independence and reducing traffic pollution and congestion, the current regulatory gap has created significant safety and compliance risks. The sale of e-bikes in Australia that do not comply with international best practice safety standards is a key contributor to the problem. This has led to a proliferation of bikes that can be easily “unlocked” to go faster than is legally permitted under State and Territory laws and the import and sale of illegal conversion kits. This has likely been a factor in the recent spate of collisions, serious injuries and deaths, creating uncertainty for riders, road users and enforcement agencies.

This issue is of particular concern to urban coastal communities such as ours, where the popularity of large-tyred “fatbikes” and other high-powered e-bikes has increased rapidly. These bikes are often used on shared paths, roads and shopping strips, creating heightened safety risks for pedestrians, children and other riders.

The Governments of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland have all called for federal product safety requirements and import restrictions for e-bikes. This view is strongly supported by the bicycle industry and advocacy organisations, including Bicycle Industries Australia and We Ride Australia, who have consistently called for national leadership to close regulatory gaps, improve product standards and ensure only safe, compliant e-bikes are imported and sold in Australia.

We request the Federal Government’s urgent leadership and coordination in this area so that Australians can enjoy the benefits of e-mobility in a safe, nationally consistent regulatory environment.

There are a range of ways the Federal Government could address this issue, including:

1. Requiring evidence of compliance with global standard EN 15194 (or comparable internationally accepted standard) for all e-bikes sold in Australia.
2. Working with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to introduce a consumer safety standard for e-bikes. (For example, this could be similar to the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 that sets out mandatory requirements for quad bikes).
3. Creating a new category of powerful e-bikes under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 to recognise and regulate e-bikes that can exceed 25km/hr.

We would appreciate an update from your office on:

• What steps the Federal Government is undertaking (or planning) to address e-bike regulation and safety, including import control, vehicle standards, product safety and enforcement; and
• How the Federal Government is coordinating with State and Territory Governments to achieve consistent definitions, regulatory categories, import standards, and enforcement mechanisms.

Federal importation regulation and co-ordination with State and Territory Governments is essential to protect riders, pedestrians and the broader community, and we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this further.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Sophie Scamps MP — Federal Member for Mackellar
Allegra Spender MP — Federal Member for Wentworth
Zali Steggall OAM MP — Federal Member for Warringah
Dr Monique Ryan MP — Federal Member for Kooyong
Nicolette Boele MP — Federal Member for Bradfield
Kate Chaney MP — Federal Member for Curtin