E-bikes
E-bikes and petrol-powered bicycles
You can use bicycles that meet the requirements for permitted e-bikes on public roads and road-related areas.
Petrol-powered bicycles and other powered bicycles that don't meet the e-bike requirements outlined below are illegal.
You can only use these bikes on private property.
What are the e-bike requirements?
There are two types of permitted e-bikes:
- Power-assisted pedal cycles
- Electrically power-assisted cycles.
The rider must primarily propel these bikes – a motor can't be the only source propelling it. The motor should only help the rider, like when going uphill or facing strong winds.
Power-assisted pedal cycles
A power-assisted pedal cycle:
- has one or more motors attached with a combined maximum power output of up to 200 watts
- can't be propelled only by the motor/s
- weighs less than 50kg (including batteries)
- has a height-adjustable seat.
Electrically power-assisted cycles
An electrically power-assisted cycle has a maximum continued rated power of up to 500 watts. This power output must be:
- progressively reduced as the bicycle’s speed increases beyond 6km/h
- cut off when:
- your bicycle reaches a speed of 25km/h
- you stop pedalling and the speed exceeds 6km/h.
Petrol-powered bicycles
All petrol-powered bicycles are illegal on NSW roads and road-related areas like footpaths, shared paths, cycle ways and cycle paths. This includes bicycles that:
- have a petrol-powered engine attached before or after purchase
- are powered by other types of internal combustion engines.
Petrol-powered bicycles are faster than regular bicycles, reaching moped and small motorcycle speeds. Petrol-powered bicycles have regular bicycle brakes that aren't designed for higher speeds. These bicycles also take much longer to stop than regular bicycles. This increases the risk of a crash that can kill or seriously injure the rider and other road users.
Motorised bicycle tests has detailed results of performance capabilities, power output and stopping distances of petrol-powered bicycles.
Moped laws
A moped is a small motorcycle that:
- has an internal combustion engine with a capacity not exceeding 50ml, or an alternative power source e.g. electric motor
- has a maximum speed of 50km/h
- may be either two-wheeled or three-wheeled
- may be pedal assisted.
These vehicles are legal on NSW roads as long as they're:
- entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV), or for an older model, fitted with an identification plate (commonly referred to as a compliance plate),
- compliant with the applicable vehicle standards
- registered
- ridden by a licensed rider.
More information
Bicycle riders, just as other road users, must comply with all applicable NSW road rules.
Find the answers to frequently asked questions.
Safety advice for bicycle riders in NSW.
Bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet and follow the rules on using mobile phones, riding on footpaths, shared paths and other lanes.