The Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025 amends the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 to classify electrically power-assisted cycles (EPACs) and powerful e-bikes as road vehicles, and requires the Minister to issue national safety standards for both within six months of commencement. It also exempts EPACs that meet those standards or are designed for people with disability or off-road use from certain import and modification regulations.
This change closes regulatory gaps in existing definitions and aligns Australian rules with international safety requirements such as European Standard EN15194.
This Bill amends the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 by introducing new definitions and regulatory requirements for e-bikes under a new Division 6 in Part 1:
The Bill also repeals the outdated “power-assisted pedal cycle” definition in the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) 2005. It commences the day after Royal Assent and has no financial impact.
By setting mandatory safety standards for e-bikes, the Bill reduces the risk of accidents caused by poorly manufactured or tampered imports, thereby maximising overall well-being by preventing injury and loss of life. [Judgment]
Clear national rules for EPACs and powerful e-bikes enhance consumer protection, giving riders confidence that their vehicles comply with internationally recognised criteria. Consistent standards lower the social and economic costs of accidents, benefiting public health systems and reducing insurance claims.
Furthermore, safer e-bike regulation encourages a modal shift from petrol vehicles to low-emission transport, advancing environmental goals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [Judgment] Regulatory clarity also supports industry innovation by providing importers and manufacturers with a predictable framework, fostering growth in sustainable mobility.
Although intended to improve safety, the Bill may impose significant compliance costs on small importers and retailers by demanding the rapid development and verification of new standards. These expenses are likely to be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices, limiting access to affordable e-bikes without delivering proportional safety benefits. [Judgment]
Existing state and territory regulations, alongside voluntary industry standards, already address many safety concerns. Introducing overlapping federal rules may create legal uncertainty during the six-month standard-making period and discourage new market entrants. A more flexible, performance-based approach could achieve similar safety outcomes without broad reclassification of all EPACs and powerful e-bikes as road vehicles.
The Bill’s broad definitions risk ensnaring niche products—such as adaptive cycles for people with disabilities or specialty off-road models—under onerous regulatory controls, undermining consumer choice and innovation in assistive mobility technology.
2025-09-01
House of Representatives
Before House of Representatives
SCAMPS, Sophie, MP
Unspecified
Transport, Consumer Protection, Climate Change / Environment