Mike O'Connor
Australians are being invited to have their say on a proposed national e-bike safety standard, with battery fires, modified bikes and concerns about product safety among the issues it aims to address.
Standards Australia released the draft standard for public consultation on 2 November, setting out proposed requirements for the design, assembly and testing of electric bikes.
The draft covers areas including motor power management, electrical systems, battery charging and the safety information manufacturers must provide to consumers.
Public comment is open until 22 January 2027, with feedback welcomed from riders, manufacturers, retailers, government agencies and other interested groups.
Standards Australia CEO Rod Balding said the growing popularity of e-bikes had highlighted the need for a consistent national approach to safety.
“E-bikes offer significant benefits for Australians, but growing concerns about battery fires, unsafe or modified products, road incidents and poor consumer experiences highlight the need for a coordinated, nationally consistent response,” he said.
The proposed standard has been developed by a technical committee under Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand, drawing on the latest European e-bike standard and adapting it for Australian conditions, including local road rules and terminology.
It is intended to cover privately and commercially used e-bikes on public roads, but excludes shared bikes hired from unattended docking stations.
If adopted, the new standard will supersede AS 15194:2016, which currently covers electrically power-assisted bicycles, also known as EPACs or pedelecs.
The work is also intended to complement the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) consultation on e-bike safety, providing a technical framework that could support a proposed safety standard under Australian Consumer Law.
The draft applies to electrically power-assisted bicycles and relevant components operating at up to 48V DC, or those fitted with an integrated battery charger using a nominal 230V AC input.
Have your say
The draft standard is available for review through Standards Australia’s public comment platform. Submissions close on 22 January 2027.
View the draft standard and submit feedback.
Mike O’Connor – A keen cyclist, runner and photographer, Mike O’Connor is the Editor of Bicycling Australia. He manages the BA website and social media, and loves promoting the achievements of Australian cyclists.
