The statement from the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers' meeting: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/itmm-communique-21-november-2025.pdf
The same statement from WeRide on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/werideaustralia/posts/pfbid0KpgL2Xxi54XVQNk557nVm9SXCFwVvtu6VtW7GbMSDcCRkwYKh2imTuAFSRfAni65l
The statement in text:
We celebrate reinstatement of e-bike standard
In a welcome announcement celebrated by bicycle riders and the industry this afternoon, the Australian Infrastructure and Transport Ministers have announced the reinstatement of the internationally accepted standard for e-bikes.
The announcement came in the Ministerial Communique this afternoon and states,
‘Ministers agreed to work towards a regulatory framework for e-mobility devices to ensure safe and consistent supply and use of these devices in the Australian market, while still promoting mobility and innovation.’
A framework is still being developed, however in the interim, the Communique says,
‘To supplement this (new framework), and to assist importers, the Commonwealth will reinstate the EN-15194 standard and meet with relevant stakeholders to ensure the use of this standard is well understood and supported.’
We Ride Australia and Bicycle Industries Australia could not be happier that this global standard has been reinstated after it was deleted from the import framework governing e-bikes in 2021.
This announcement responds directly to the advocacy of calls from Bicycle Industries Austra, We Ride Australia and Australian bicycle organisations which has been determinant in achieving this outcome. We look forward to continuing to assist Governments at all levels as they work to establish a robust national framework to stop unsafe product reaching Australian consumers.
BIA General Manager Peter Bourke said,
“This is a sensational outcome for the Australian bicycle industry,
“EN15194 is the leading e-bike standard around the world, and its reinstatement will address the impacts of poor-quality and unsafe imports.”
WeRide’s Stephen Hodge said,
“e-bikes are booming globally,
“They provide healthy, safe and affordable mobility for the more than half of all trips each day that are less than 5km,
“The reinstatement of EN15194 means Australians will have the confidence to know the e-bikes they buy for themselves, and their children are safe and fit for purpose.”
For those out of the loop, there have been a spate of deaths caused by people riding illegal, unregistered electric motorbikes recently, including children. These are vehicles being sold as "ebikes", and many in the media are still calling them that, but they are not ebikes. By definition, an ebike must be pedal-assist only (with allowance for up to 6 km/h with a button or throttle, to assist starting or walking the bike), and to be a legal ebike in Australia it must have a motor which cuts out at 25 km/h. You can pedal above that speed, but cannot receive motor assistance.
The problem exists in part because of a regulation change by the Morrison Government. Prior to the change, all ebikes being imported into the country had to meet the EN-15194 standard. Morrison removed that requirement, allowing the import of vehicles that are illegal to ride on roads and bikeways. That created a glut of illegal vehicles on the street, being bought for kids by parents who don't know better or don't care. That import regulation is apparently being put back in place.
I see such a large number of these electric motorbikes that I'd started to doubt my understanding of the law. Like, maybe there had been a change that I just didn't know about. But it turns out that the change I didn't know about was Morrison undermining the law by messing with the import regulations.
It's good to have some clarity on that.
I don't get these parents dropping 5k+ on an electric motorbike for their 12yo. What are they thinking?