Rules & Regulations for Riders

1. Reduce speed on footpaths

• Speed limit of 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths, unless otherwise signed. 

 2. Maximum speed limit

• Speed limit of 25km/h on bike paths and roads.

3. PMD riders must be 16 years old or older

• 12-15's may ride, but must be supervised by an adult. 

4. Know where you can ride

• Paths: Footpaths, shared paths, separated paths and bike paths
• Local streets (speed limit or 50km/h or less, no dividing line)
• On-road bike lanes (speed limit of 50km/h or less, or where the bike lane is physically separated from the road). 

5. Always wear a helmet

• Approved bicycle or motorcycle helmets are ok.
• Helmet straps must be fastened.
• Additional protective gear like elbow and knee pads and high visibility clothing is also recommended.

6. Leave your phone alone when riding

• Hand-held phone use, or resting it on any part of your body is illegal while riding.
• Using a phone in a cradle mounted to handlebars is ok if you are not distracted.

7. No doubling

• Passengers are not allowed, regardless of age or size. This
  includes children doubling with parents. 

8. General road rules apply for PMD riders

• Obey traffic lights and signs.
• Follow general road rules regarding giving way and making turns.
• Indicate when changing direction, either by hand signals or indicators.

9. Parking

• Park your PMD in designated parking areas.
• Don't block the path and keep clear of kerb ramps, building access and exits.
• Poor parking creates problems for other path users, particularly people with a disability.

10. Don't drink and ride

11. Warn pedestrians as you approach

• Devices with handlebars must have a bell. 

12. Use lights and reflectors after dark

1. Motor Power Limits

• For pedal-assist e-bikes, the maximum motor power is 250W (500W in NSW).
• For throttle-assist e-bikes, the motor must not exceed 200W. Throttles on 250W motors are allowed but must be limited to 6 km/h (to help with walking the bike).

2. Speed Limits

• The motor must stop providing assistance once the bike reaches 25 km/h. For NSW, e-bikes with up to 500W power are legal, but they must also comply with this speed limit.

3. Helmets are mandatory

• Helmets are mandatory for all e-bike riders and passengers, regardless of the type of e-bike.
• This also includes if you have a passenger.
• Plus, using a helmet is for safety and will help to save your life if you are in an accident.

4. All E-Bikes require lights

• E-bikes must have functional front white lights and rear red lights, especially when riding in low visibility conditions.
• If your light is broken, make sure to get it fixed asap! Riding with a broken light means no light at all and you will be fined if caught.

5. Limits on carrying a passenger

• Carrying passengers is only legal if the e-bike is designed to do so (e.g., cargo bikes with proper seating for passengers).

6. License and Registration

• No license or registration is required for e-bikes in Australia, however e-bike must only meet the power and speed limits (250W motor and 25 km/h max speed). E-bikes exceeding these limits may be classified as motorbikes, which require registration and a motorcycle license.

7. Penalties

• Breaking e-bike laws (e.g., riding without a helmet or exceeding power limits) can result in fines and, in some cases, demerit points​.

Learn the Rules and Regulations for in your State

Queensland    https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/bicycle

New South Wales   http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/bicyclists/cyclingrules.html

Western Australia   https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/activetransport/cycling.asp

Northern Territory  https://nt.gov.au/driving/safety/bicycle-safety

South Australia   https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/cycling/cyclist-road-rules-and-safety

Tasmania https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/transport-new/road_safety_and_rules

Victoria https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/bicycles