The use of electric bicycles and scooters for commercial and transport purposes in Australia has led to increasing calls for regulatory enforcement and safety reforms due to a surge in insurance claims and public safety incidents.
The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has emphasized the need for state and federal authorities to enforce existing regulations outlined in the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, which restrict e-bikes to 250-watt motors and 25 km/h assisted speed limits. Despite these regulations, many e-bikes in urban areas, especially those utilized by gig economy workers, are reportedly non-compliant and unregistered.
Peter Jones, CEO of the VACC, highlighted the disregard for regulations by overseas sellers, delivery platform operators, and riders using high-powered e-bikes for commercial purposes without adhering to regulatory obligations such as vehicle registration, licensing, and insurance.
Concerns have been raised about underage and unlicensed individuals being recruited to operate these high-powered e-bikes, posing safety, legal, and insurance risks. Jones emphasized that operating such vehicles commercially requires fulfilling legal responsibilities akin to those for traditional commercial vehicles like vans or motorbikes.
The VACC, in collaboration with Monash University, is conducting a compliance study focusing on e-bike activities in Melbourne’s central business district to gather data on usage patterns and potential risks. Their recommendations include mandatory registration for e-bikes used in delivery services, establishing minimum age and licensing requirements for operators of high-powered models, penalties for non-compliance facilitators, and public education on existing laws and safety practices.
In Queensland, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) is supporting a state-level parliamentary inquiry into the safety of personal mobility devices (PMDs), including e-scooters, following a rise in hospital admissions and insurance claims related to scooter incidents. The inquiry is based on research conducted by the Jamieson Trauma Institute, which reported a significant increase in injuries and fatalities involving e-scooters in the state.
RACQ Insurance noted a 22% increase in claims involving bicycles and e-scooters from March 2024 to February 2025, with high-traffic tourist areas identified as hotspots for incidents, particularly during peak travel times and school pickups.
The rise in incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters underscores the importance of regulatory compliance, safety awareness, and enforcement to mitigate risks and ensure the safe integration of these electric vehicles into the transportation landscape.
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