e-Bikes and e-Scooters

Electric vehicles include:

• e-Scooters
• e-Bikes
• unicycles
• e-Skateboards.

Different laws apply to different types of electric vehicles.

PMD stands for “personal mobility device”. That is, something small that only one person can ride and that the law treats differently to a “motor vehicle”. You must understand whether what you are riding or driving is classified as a PMD or as motor vehicle because there are different laws that apply.

Electric scooters (e-Scooters) and electric skateboards (e-Skateboards) are called “personal mobility devices” (PMD) and they are not considered “motor vehicles”. Because they are not “motor vehicles” you do not need a licence to ride them or have them registered.

Some eBikes are classified as a bicycle and some are classified as motor vehicles, depending on their engine size. There are different laws for bicycles (electric bikes or non-electric bikes) than for motor vehicles. 

These rules apply to riding a personal mobility device (PMD):

• You must be at least 16 years old
• You must wear an approved helmet
• The PMD must be designed to carry only one person
• You cannot take a passenger or animal on the PMD
• The PMD cannot go over 15km an hour on a footpath
• The PMD cannot go over 25km an hour on a road,
• The PMD cannot be capable of going more than 25kmh on a flat surface,
• It cannot weigh more than 45kgs, and
• It cannot have any sharp points sticking out that may cause injury.

There are a few situations where you are not allowed to ride a PMD:

• If you are less than 16 years old
• If there is a central dividing line on the road (unless the road is declared a PMD safe zone)
• If the road has a speed limit of more than 50kmh
• If it is a one-way road with more than one lane (unless it is declared a PMD safe zone)
• If the road is a PMD free zone
• If being towed by another vehicle
• While holding a mobile phone in your hand.

If you do any of these, you could be fined.

• Always wear a helmet
• Always stay as far to the left as possible on any road you are riding on
• Never ride with more than 1 person next to you (only 2 abreast)
• If you are riding on the footpath, give way to all pedestrians and leave enough space so that you avoid hitting into them
• Don’t drive over 15kmh on the footpath or 25kmh on a road or bike path
• Obey all traffic lights that apply to vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles
• Always ride with care and be considerate to other road users.

If you are riding a PMD at night you need to make sure you have a white forward-facing light and a red light on the back. Both lights must be visible for at least 200m. You also need to have a red reflector on the back of the PMD which is visible for 50m.

E-bikes are treated differently to PMDs such as e-scooters and e-skateboards. They are covered by all of the standard rules that apply to bicycle riders.

If a bicycle has an electric motor fitted to it the motor must have less than 200watts of power or it will be considered a “motor vehicle”. If your e-bike is considered a motor vehicle you need to have it registered and have the relevant licence to drive it.

It is important that you do not fit engines that have greater power than are allowed. If you do you may be charged with various criminal offences including driving an unregistered motor vehicle and driving without a licence. These charges can result in criminal convictions, licence disqualification, fines and potential jail sentences.