Latest news with #EN15194
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Zoomo calls for stricter regulations amid illegal e-bike domination
A leading e-bike company is demanding urgent action from authorities as illegally modified bicycles surge in popularity across Australia. Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to navigate congested CBD streets faster than cars or scooters, making them an ideal choice for food delivery workers. Unlike cars or motorcycles, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a licence to ride, making them an efficient alternative provided they fall within certain power limits under Australian law. Gema Martínez Casanova, operations manager for populae e-bike brand Zoomo, says the proliferation of illegal e-bikes undermines legal e-bikes. 'It's quite frustrating because we try to create a really safe and reliable product for our customers,' she says. 'We understand e-bikes, there's a big increase in usage with e-bikes, and there are a lot of people who don't like them because they have this idea of e-bikes going 45 km/h on the pathway.' In most states and territories, e-bikes are classified as 'pedal-assisted cycles' and must comply with the European Standard for Power-Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). This standard typically limits the power from the electric motor to 250W and mandates that the motor stop propelling the bike when the speed reaches 25 km/h. Despite Zoomo's commitment to adhering to legal standards and ensuring customer safety, the situation is worsened by gig economy workers who seek faster delivery times and opt for bikes that can be modified to exceed legal limits. 'We can't do anything, because the customer wants to make more deliveries per hour, so of course they are going to go for a vehicle that goes faster,' Gema said. 'So not only do we have to compete by always trying to be better on our hardware and customer experience on a legal side, but also we have to be aware of the illegal bikes in the industry. 'We really respect the law, but we would like everyone to be applying the same rules. 'We create such a safe, reliable product, and we also employ a lot of people in Australia, but at the end of the day, we won't be able to compete. 'So we urge the authorities to do more on illegal e-bikes. We see it everyday when a rider is riding up hill, not pedalling and travelling more than 6km per hour.' Many riders are also turning to e-bike conversion kits, which allow them to retrofit a standard bicycle with an electric motor, battery, and control system. These kits are widely available online, and their power can exceed 1000 watts, reaching speeds well over 60 km/h. A leading industry body has reported a surge in these unregistered and high-powered e-bike models entering the Australian market. The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both state and federal governments to urgently enforce existing national laws that regulate e-bikes, as growing numbers of unregistered, high-powered models are being used in commercial operations across Melbourne. 'The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they're being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,' VACC CEO Peter Jones says. 'It's one thing to ride a compliant e-bike recreationally. 'But when you're using a 1000-watt machine all day in city traffic to deliver for a company, you're operating a commercial vehicle. That must come with legal responsibilities, just like it would for a van, a ute or a motorbike.' NSW authorities are also intensifying efforts to enforce safety laws against e-bike riders who have illegally modified or tampered with their bikes, according to The Daily Telegraph. NSW police conducted a month-long operation, during which they checked 305 e-bikes and fined 32 riders. They discovered that 28 bikes had been modified or adjusted to exceed the legal speed limits set by manufacturers. Over the past year, high-visibility police operations have been conducted across New South Wales in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, and Byron Bay, resulting in hundreds of fines being issued to e-bike riders who breached regulations.
Boston Globe
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Boston Globe
What to know about new statewide e-bike incentive program. Plus, how Mass. residents can apply.
Following several local pilot initiatives, MassCEC (the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center), a quasi-public agency focused on economic development, is rolling out the new statewide program. When can residents start applying? What do applicants need? Advertisement After the two-week open registration period, selected applicants will be chosen via an automated random selection process. MassCEC will notify those selected, who will then have a week to complete their application and provide proof of residency and their income or participation in an eligible income-certified program. Awarded individuals will receive a code that they can use at a participating retailer, both for an e-bike and equipment. They will have 60 days to redeem their voucher. Over the course of six months, the agency will be staggering the rollout of 3,000 vouchers, with about 500 awarded each month. Who qualifies for the vouchers, and what are the rebates offered? What e-bikes are eligible? Residents can use the voucher on both e-cargo bikes, used for carrying large loads or children, as well as adaptive e-bikes, which are designed for people with mobility challenges. Advertisement The e-bike must be Class 1: An electric bicycle or tricycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance at 20 miles per hour. Class 2: An electric bicycle or tricycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, but tops out at 20 miles per hour. The e-bike must have two or three wheels, fully operable pedals, and an electric motor that is 750 watts or less. It cannot be gasoline powered. Plus, it must meet UL 2849 and or EN 15194 certifications. There is a maximum purchase price of $5,000 for a standard e-bike and $8,500 for an adaptive e-bike. The voucher can only be used in-person at participating bike stores in Massachusetts. Shannon Larson can be reached at
