Buying an E-Bike This Christmas? Here’s How to Avoid a Dangerous Mistake
E-bikes may be one of the most sought-after Christmas gifts this year, but the market has become confusing - and in some cases, unsafe. With more Canberrans turning to electric bikes for recreation, commuting and family riding, it’s vital to understand the difference between a legal, roadworthy e-bike and the growing number of illegal high-powered devices being sold online as if they were bicycles.
The biggest risk to consumers is simple: many products advertised as “e-bikes” are not bicycles at all. They are electric motorbikes dressed up with pedals, capable of speeds far beyond what is safe or lawful on paths. These machines are often marketed toward young people, yet they require registration, compulsory third-party insurance and a motorcycle licence. They cannot be ridden on shared paths, in parkland or anywhere a bicycle would normally go.
The confusion comes from inconsistent language across the industry and the explosion of cheap online imports. Parents shopping for their child’s first e-bike may see a listing that claims “250W” or “street legal” when, in reality, the motor is several times more powerful and the bike is designed for motorcycle-level speeds. Without clear standards, many families have no way to judge whether what they’re buying is safe.
This Christmas, that situation is changing for the better. The Commonwealth Government has confirmed it will reinstate the EN15194 standard, the internationally recognised benchmark for safe and legal electric bicycles. This is a significant shift. Instead of relying on the limited resources of ACT Policing to identify and remove illegal devices once they’re already being ridden, the reinstated standard will prevent many unsafe imports from entering Australia in the first place. It restores a clear, enforceable line: a legal e-bike must display the EN15194 compliance label.
For consumers, the message is straightforward. If a bike does not carry an EN15194 sticker, it is not a compliant electric bicycle. It is unsafe to ride on paths, and it is illegal to use them as a bicycle without registration, insurance and an appropriate licence. No amount of clever advertising can change that. This is especially important when browsing online marketplaces or social media, where claims about power, speed and legality are often misleading.
Legal e-bikes - the kind you see in reputable Canberra bike shops - are designed to be ridden safely in all the places ordinary bicycles are used. They assist the rider up to a controlled speed, require pedalling to activate the motor, and behave predictably around pedestrians, families, and other path users. They make cycling more accessible without turning shared spaces into high-speed corridors.
Pedal Power has released a new Position Statement on Electric-Assist Bicycles and E-Scooters, which includes practical guidance on choosing a safe, legal e-bike in the ACT. We encourage anyone considering an e-bike purchase this Christmas to read it before they buy.
