Power Assisted Bicycles to Conform with Europe

On 30th May 2012 The Hon Catherine King MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, announced an amendment to the definition of a power-assisted pedal cycle.

Power-assisted bicycles with electric motors up to 250watts and a maximum speed of 25km/h that are compliant with European Standard (EN 15194) can now be imported into Australia.

Main points of the new standard:

• Complements the existing standards
• Covers the needs of most users with a range starting at 40km for most batteries
• Power increase to 250W continuous rated power. The current limit is 200 watts.
• ‘Twist and go’ to 6kph allows easy take off from standing start.

Because laws related to power assisted bicycles are within the jurisdiction of each state and territory, it will take an as yet unknown further length of time before each legislature amends their appropriate laws and regulations.

Information from this article came from Bicycle Industries Australia.