Bike Adelaide, as a leading advocate for commuter and utility cycling, strongly supports the responsible use of compliant e-bikes as a practical and sustainable transport solution for South Australians. Much recent public debate has highlighted illegal, overpowered electric mountain bikes. We cannot compare these illegal electric motorbikes to legal 25 kph e-bikes used by commuters and families on our shared paths and bikeways.
Compliant E-Bikes: Expanding Access to Cycling
Road legal e-bikes — limited to 25 km/h, 250 Watts, and pedal-assist only (no throttle) or 200 Watts and throttle-assist— offer significant benefits to our community. They enable more people to cycle regardless of age, fitness, or terrain; reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions; and can provide meaningful physical activity. Bike Adelaide welcomes the growing uptake of these vehicles and applauds councils that have introduced e-bike subsidy programs to broaden access for utility cycling.
The Problem of Non-Compliant Devices and Illegal e-Motorbikes
Bike Adelaide is increasingly concerned by the proliferation of non-compliant e-bikes and illegal e-motorbikes on South Australian paths and roads. These devices — which exceed legal power and speed limits — are not bicycles. They are e-motorbikes, and should be regulated accordingly: existing motorbike regulations requires riders to be licensed, registered, and are prohibited from using footpaths and shared-use paths.
Causes of this problem include lax import controls that have allowed non-compliant and illegal devices into the Australian market, and inconsistent legislation across Eastern states that created confusion about acceptable power limits here in SA. The consequences are serious — dangerous high-speed incidents on shared paths on illegal, uninsurable vehicles that put cyclists, pedestrians, and children at risk.
Bike Adelaide’s Position
- We support compliant e-bikes and the current South Australian laws governing them.
- We call on governments at all levels to strengthen import controls and enforce consistent national standards for e-bike and e-motobike compliance.
- We call on SAPOL to actively enforce existing laws against non-compliant and illegal devices.
- We urge retailers to sell only compliant e-bikes which can be ridden on public roads and paths, and to clearly communicate legal requirements to customers.
- We ask parents to ensure their children ride only legal, compliant devices.
- We encourage all community members to report dangerous non-compliant e-bike use to SAPOL.