Many countries have enacted electric vehicle laws to regulate the use of electric bicycles, also termed e-bikes. Some jurisdictions have regulations governing safety requirements and standards of manufacture. The members of the European Union and other regions have wider-ranging legislation covering use and safety.
Laws and terminology are diverse. Some countries have national regulations with additional regional regulations for each state, province, or municipality. Systems of classification and nomenclature may vary.
Different jurisdictions use different definitions of what an electric bicycle is. Some classify pedal-controlled pedelecs as being distinct from other bicycles using electric power. Some consider anything motor-powered with pedals (or functional pedals) an ebike. Some police departments will impound and destroy anything that doesn't fit the definition and others leave un-definable electric vehicles largely unregulated. Consequently, any particular e-bike may be subject to different classifications and regulations in different jurisdictions.
Australia
In Australia, the e-bike is defined by the Australian Vehicle Standards as a bicycle that has an auxiliary motor with a maximum power output not exceeding 250 W without consideration for speed limits or pedal sensors. Each state is responsible for deciding how to treat such a vehicle and currently all states agree that such a vehicle does not require licensing or registration. Some states have their own rules such as no riding under electric power on bike paths and through built-up areas so riders should view the state laws regarding their use. There is no license and no registration required for e-bike use.
Since 30 May 2012, Australia has an additional new e-bike category using the European Union model of a pedelec as per the CE EN15194 standard. This means the e-bike can have a motor of 250W of continuous rated power which can only be activated by pedalling (if above 6 km/h) and must cut out over 25 km/h – if so it is classed as a normal bicycle. The state of Victoria is the first to amend its local road rules, see below.
Road vehicles in Australia must comply with all applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs) before they can be supplied to the market for use in transport (Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 Cwth).
The ADRs contain the following definitions for bicycles and mopeds:
4.2. Two-Wheeled and Three-Wheeled Vehicles 4.2.1. PEDAL CYCLE (AA)
A vehicle designed to be propelled through a mechanism solely by human power.
4.2.2. POWER-ASSISTED PEDAL CYCLE (AB)
A pedal cycle to which is attached one or more auxiliary propulsion motors having a combined maximum power output not exceeding 200 watts.
4.2.3. MOPED - 2 Wheels (LA)
A 2-wheeled motor vehicle, not being a power-assisted pedal cycle, with an engine cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 ml and a "Maximum Motor Cycle Speed" not exceeding 50 km/h; or a 2-wheeled motor vehicle with a power source other than a piston engine and a "Maximum Motor Cycle Speed" not exceeding 50 km/h.
(Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule – Definitions and Vehicle Categories 2005 Compilation 3 19 September 2007).
There are no ADRs applicable to AA or AB category vehicles. There are ADRs for lighting, braking, noise, controls and dimensions for LA category vehicles, mostly referencing the equivalent UN ECE Regulations. An approval is required to supply to the market any road vehicle to which ADRs apply and an import approval is required to import any road vehicle into Australia.
New South Wales
In New South Wales, there are two types of power-assisted pedal cycle. For the first type, the electric motor's maximum power output must not exceed 200 watts, and the pedal cycle cannot be propelled exclusively by the motor. For the second type, known as a "pedalec", the vehicle must comply with the European Standard for Power Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194).
Since October 2014 all petrol powered cycles are explicitly banned.
From February 2023 pedelac bikes in NSW were able to have a 500 watt motor. The previous government said more powerful motors would assist riders in hilly areas.
On November 21, 2025 the Australian Government committed to reinstating e-bike import requirements EN-15194 (250W and 25 km/h limits). In December 2025 the NSW Government moved to restrict e-bike motor power to a 250W limit, bringing NSW in line with other Australian jurisdictions.
In December 2025, Chris Minns stated the government would have to grandfather [sic] the EN-15194 (250W and 25 km/h limits) scheme in.
On February 20, 2026 it was announced that a review led by Transport for NSW will recommend a legal minimum age between 12 and 16 for riding an e-bike in NSW and reconsider whether children will be permitted to carry passengers. The review will include consultation with NSW Office for Youth and Young People and the public. From March 1, 2029 only EN-15194 certified e-bikes will be road legal in NSW. The age limit will be implemented by the end of 2026.
Higher age limits for e-bikes may be a concern in areas where teenagers use e-bikes to travel to school.
Jacqui Scruby has requested consideration into licensing and registration for e-bike use in NSW.
Seizure and crushing of e-bikes in New South Wales In February 2026 the New South Wales Government introduced new laws permitting NSW Police new powers to seize and crush illegal e-bikes.
The policies were announced by NSW Transport Minister John Graham (Australian politician), who claimed the government's new powers "goes far past the NSW Liberals’ idea". John Graham said the crackdown was in response to community frustration and concerns about "souped-up e-bikes" and "anti-social behaviour". The amendment to the so-called "hoon laws" will allow police to avoid a court process as was required.
To identify illegal ebikes, the government purchased 3 portable 'dyno units' to measure the power output and ensure power assistance cuts out 25 km/h, per NSW limits. The units were ordered from the Netherlands.
The new laws do not require e-bikes to be registered, as proposed by Natalie Ward (politician) of the New South Wales Liberal Party. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) stated on February 8, 2026 "new laws are part of a package of measures the Minns government will be rolling out over the coming weeks" and ABC News stated "More changes will be announced in coming weeks". On January 15 John Graham said the government was considering (or "not ruling out";) a licensing or number plate system for e-bikes.
According to The Daily Telegraph (Sydney), bikes with extra power and speed are technically not e-bikes, but motorbikes.
The legislation was expected to be introduced to parliament by mid-2026. It is not known when the laws will come into effect.
The NSW Government or NSW Police supplied a 26 second video handout to the media of an electric bicycle being repeatedly crushed by a mechanical claw.
Similar laws are already in place in Western Australia. In January 2026, WA Police seized and crushed more than 30 overpowered ebikes. 54 illegal e-bikes were crushed in a two-week period.
The proposed new measures were welcomed by the NRMA, which urged the community to get behind them. In 2026 the NRMA "spearheaded" a campaign to "introduce registration and identification requirements for e-bikes" and "calls for set of reforms around e-bike use".
2GB claimed their January 2026 radio interviews led to the new policy.; On January 20 2GB interviewed Acting Inspector Scott Gillis from the WA Police Force, who had seized e-ridables in an operation focused on Joondalup. On January 21 2GB "raised the plan" with the New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon. On January 27, 2GB asked the NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane "for her thoughts", who stated it was a "great incentive". On February 3, 2GB interviewed the Premier of New South Wales
Chris Minns and "asked him if he'd be interested in adopting the policy". The policy announcement was made "just three weeks after first being raised on 2GB". ABC Media Watch have stated 2GB is a section of the media with a history of "Bike bashing".
Legality of fat-tyred bikes ("fat bikes")
"Fat bikes" or fat-tyre bikes are legal if they maximum continuous power of 500 watts or less, the motor cuts out at 25 km/h and the throttle does not function above 6 km/h (or meet EN-15194). However there are very few road legal "fat bike" models.
In February 2026, a large number of media outlets incorrectly used "fat bikes" as a synonym for e-bikes illegal to use on a public road,; however ABC News did not.
Victoria A bicycle designed to be propelled by human power using pedals may have an electric or petrol powered motor attached provided the motor's maximum power output does not exceed 200 watts.
As of 18 September 2012, the Victorian road rules have changed to enable a pedelec to be used as a bicycle in Victoria. The change allows more options of power assisted pedal cycles under bicycle laws.
A pedelec is defined as meeting EU standard EN15194, has a motor of no more than 250w of continuous rated power and which is only to be activated by pedalling when travelling at speeds of between 6 km/h and 25 km/h.
Queensland In Queensland, the situation is similar to Victoria. There are two types of legal motorised bicycle. For the first type, the electric motor must not be capable of generating more than 200 watts of power. For the second type, known as a "pedalec", the vehicle must comply with the European Standard for Power Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194).
The pedals on a motorised bicycle must be the primary source of power for the vehicle. If the motor is the primary source of power then the device cannot be classed as a motorised bicycle. For example, a device where the rider can twist a throttle and complete a journey using motor power only without using the pedals, would not be classed as a motorised bicycle.
Motorised bicycles can be ridden on all roads and paths, except where bicycles are specifically excluded. Riders do not need to have a driver licence to ride a motorised bicycle.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, illegal e-bikes (more accurately described as unregistered electric motorbikes) can be crushed. Joondalup Acting Inspector Scott Gillis stated on 2GB (a Sydney radio station) that 54 illegal e-bikes were crushed in a two-week period in their focused district area. In January 2026 WA Police seized and crushed more than 30 overpowered ebikes.
Canada
Eight provinces of Canada allow electric power-assisted bicycles. In all eight provinces, e-bikes are limited to 500 W output, and cannot travel faster than on motor power alone on level ground. In Alberta prior to July 1, 2009, the limits were 750 W and , but presently match federal legislation. Age restrictions vary in Canada. All require an approved helmet. Regulations may or may not require an interlock to prevent the use of power when the rider is not pedaling. Some versions (e.g., if capable of operating without pedaling) of e-bikes require drivers' licenses in some provinces and have age restrictions. Vehicle licenses and liability insurance are not required. Generally, they are considered vehicles (like motorcycles and pedal cycles), so are subject to the same rules of the road as regular bicycles. In some cases, regulatory requirements have been complicated by lobbying in respect of the Segway PT.
Bicycles assisted by a gasoline motor or other fuel are regulated differently from e-bikes. These are classified as motorcycles, regardless of the power output of the motor and maximum attainable speed.
Note that in Canada, the term "assist bicycle" is the technical term for an e-bike and "power-assisted bicycle" is used in the Canadian Federal Legislation, but is carefully defined to only apply to electric motor assist, and specifically excludes internal combustion engines (though this is not the case in the United States).