Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025: what the proposed national e-bike regulation would change

The short answer

Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025: what the proposed national e-bike regulation would change

The Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E-Bikes) Bill 2025 is a private member's bill introduced by Independent MP Sophie Scamps that proposes to classify and regulate e-bikes as road vehicles under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, and to require the minister to determine national road vehicle standards for e-bikes. The bill also makes a technical amendment to the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule — Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on 1 September 2025 and is currently before the House awaiting second reading debate. If enacted, it would create a nationally consistent regulatory framework for e-bikes, replacing the current patchwork of state and territory laws.

This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

What the bill proposes

The bill has two operative components. First, it amends the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 to classify e-bikes as road vehicles, bringing them within the scope of the national road vehicle standards regime. This would mean e-bikes — particularly higher-powered models that blur the line between bicycle and motor vehicle — would need to comply with safety, design, and performance standards set at the federal level.

Second, the bill requires the minister to determine national road vehicle standards specifically for e-bikes. This ministerial power would allow the government to set technical specifications for e-bikes, covering matters such as maximum motor power output, speed limits, braking performance, lighting requirements, and battery safety standards.

A technical amendment is also made to the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule — Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005 to accommodate the new classification. The Australian Design Rules are the national standards for vehicle safety, and adding e-bikes as a vehicle category would integrate them into the existing regulatory framework.

The bill does not itself set the specific standards — those would be determined by the minister through legislative instruments after the bill passes. This delegated legislation approach allows the standards to be updated as technology evolves without requiring further primary legislation.

Evidence review

The current regulatory gap

E-bike regulation in Australia currently sits in a fragmented space. Under the Australian Road Rules, e-bikes that meet the European standard EN 15194 — with a maximum motor power of 250 watts and pedal-assist only up to 25 km/h — are treated as bicycles and do not require registration, licensing, or insurance.

However, higher-powered e-bikes, e-scooters, and other electric rideables fall into a regulatory grey area. Some models sold in Australia significantly exceed the 250-watt limit but are marketed in ways that obscure their legal status. These higher-powered devices may technically be classified as motor vehicles under state law, but enforcement is inconsistent.

State and territory governments set their own rules for these higher-powered devices, creating significant inconsistency: what is legal in one jurisdiction may be illegal in another. New South Wales, for example, has announced tighter rules for e-bikes, while other jurisdictions have taken different approaches.

The bill aims to close this gap by bringing all e-bikes under a single national framework administered through the Road Vehicle Standards Act. This would ensure consistent safety and design standards regardless of where an e-bike is sold or used in Australia.

Evidence review

Why the bill was introduced

Independent MP Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, NSW) introduced the bill against a background of growing e-bike use and rising safety concerns. E-bike sales in Australia have grown substantially in recent years, driven by the popularity of food delivery services, recreational cycling, and commuting.

With increased use has come an increase in safety incidents. Hospital emergency departments have reported a rise in e-bike-related injuries, including collisions with pedestrians and motor vehicles. Concerns have also been raised about battery fires from poorly manufactured lithium-ion batteries — the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued warnings about unsafe e-bike batteries and chargers.

The bill's title — 'Safer E-Bikes' — signals that safety is the primary motivation. By bringing e-bikes under national vehicle standards, the bill aims to ensure minimum safety requirements for all e-bikes sold in Australia, including standards for battery construction, electrical systems, braking, and lighting.

There is also an industry dimension: responsible e-bike manufacturers and importers face unfair competition from businesses importing non-compliant or unsafe products. National standards would level the playing field by requiring all products to meet the same minimum requirements.

Evidence review

Who would be affected

E-bike manufacturers, importers, and retailers would be directly affected, as they would need to comply with new national standards. This could impose compliance costs but also create a clearer and more predictable regulatory environment for the industry.

E-bike users would be affected through safer products on the market. The bill itself does not impose new obligations on riders — road rules and usage regulations would remain the domain of state and territory governments. However, the standards set for e-bikes would likely influence how states regulate their use.

State and territory transport regulators would need to align their enforcement and registration systems with the new national framework. This could require changes to state road transport legislation and the development of new enforcement capabilities.

Food delivery platforms that rely heavily on e-bike riders — such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Menulog — would have an interest in the safety standards that emerge from the ministerial determination process. These platforms have faced scrutiny over the safety of their delivery riders and may welcome clearer product standards.

Evidence review

Where the bill stands

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on 1 September 2025. The first reading occurred on the same day, and the second reading was moved. As at 17 July 2026, nearly 11 months after introduction, the bill has not yet been debated at second reading.

As a private member's bill, it does not have the scheduling priority of government legislation. No proposed amendments have been circulated, and the bill has not been referred to a committee.

The bill's progress will depend on whether it secures a slot for second reading debate in the House and whether it attracts government and crossbench support. Private members' bills can face long delays between introduction and debate, particularly when the government's legislative agenda is crowded.

The bill has been before the House for an extended period without debate, which is not unusual for a private member's bill but indicates that it has not been prioritised by the government for scheduling.

Evidence review

Broader context: e-bike regulation in Australia

The bill enters a policy landscape where multiple jurisdictions are already moving on e-bike regulation. New South Wales has announced tighter rules for e-bikes, including registration requirements for higher-powered models. Victoria has been reviewing its e-scooter and e-bike trial frameworks.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued warnings about unsafe e-bike batteries, and there have been several high-profile battery fires in Australian cities linked to poorly manufactured lithium-ion batteries.

Internationally, the European Union, United Kingdom, and United States have all grappled with how to regulate the rapidly evolving e-bike market. A national Australian standard would align the country with international best practice while providing regulatory certainty for a growing industry.

The e-bike market is projected to continue growing, driven by urbanisation, environmental concerns, and the expansion of delivery services. The regulatory framework established now will shape the industry's development for years to come.

Common questions

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