Power assisted bikes
About this page
Electric or other motor-assisted bicycles can be great for people who need a bit of extra help to get up hills or carry a heavy load of groceries home, or travel a longer distance.
Electric or motor-assisted bicycles can be great for people who need a bit of extra help to get up hills or carry a heavy load of groceries home, or travel a longer distance.
They are particularly useful for people with arthritic knees or other physical constraints that can restrict cycling opportunities on an ordinary bike.
Power-assisted bikes with a power output of up to 200 watts are defined as bicycles and covered by the same road rules as ordinary bicycles.
Bicycle Victoria supports an increase in the maximum power output currently allowed, from 200 watts to 300 watts. This increase will help get more people with physical constraints riding. It will also have the added benefit of making it more affordable as the 300 watt motors are generally cheaper. Bicycle Victoria believes a motor with a maximum output of 500 watts is too powerful.
To put the power output in perspective, elite cyclists like Lance Armstrong and Cadel Evans can manage 800 watts in short bursts.
Power-assisted bicycles should have a performance equivalent of no more than a normal cyclist on a normal bicycle under normal conditions. Bicycle commuting speed is around 25 kph but varies according to the conditions.
Read the road rules around electric and petrol driven bikes.
The PDF (right) has information on purchasing electric bikes.
No petrol bikes on trains
Note that petrol-powered bikes, because of the flammable power source, are not allowed on trains for safety reasons. In Victoria, the Connex rules state:
"Which items cannot be taken onto the train?
For safety reasons the following items/devices/vehicles are not permitted on trains:
- Explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive and poisonous chemicals, liquefied and compressed gas or other dangerous goods.
- Petrol driven vehicles such as motorcycles and lawnmowers.
- Other large items such as supermarket shopping trolleys, washing machines etc."