A major crackdown on e-bikes has resulted in hundreds of intercepts and fines for riders caught breaking the rules.
Operation Consider, which launched last month, saw members from Victoria Police's State Highway Patrol and Solo Unit team up with North West Metro Bike Patrol in Melbourne's CBD to enforce e-bike compliance and safety.
Police patrolled on foot and using bicycles, motorcycles and highway patrol vehicles to target riders using overpowered and illegal e-bikes.
A total 274 road users were intercepted during the operation in August including 135 e-bikes, 30 bicycles and 17 petrol motorcycles.
While not specifically targeted as part of the operation, police also intercepted 71 cars, 18 e-scooters and three pedestrians identified as not complying with road safety rules.
A concerning 52 per cent of e-bikes intercepted were overpowered, deeming them unregistered vehicles, with 44 per cent of riders classed as unlicensed riders.
An overpowered e-bike is considered a motorcycle and subject to the same road rules as other motorcycles including licencing and registration.
If caught on an overpowered or non-compliant e-bike, penalties can include using an unregistered vehicle which carries a $1018 fine.
Police issued a total 257 infringements during Operation Consider throughout August including:
- 85 helmet offences
- 70 unregistered vehicle offences
- 60 unlicenced driver offences
- 14 failing to obey traffic signals / sign offences
- 10 driving in a manner which is unsafe offences
- 9 riding on footpath offences
- 6 mobile phone offences
- 3 other miscellaneous traffic offences
Riders are being reminded to check that their e-bike meets the following criteria to be considered legal:
- An electrically-powered assisted cycle (EPAC) is the most commonly available type of e-bike which features an auxiliary propulsion motor that cannot exceed more than 250 watts, and the top power speed is restricted to 25km/h, with the rider required to pedal to access the power.
- The other type, a power-assisted bicycle, is identical to a pedal powered bicycle, except it has one (or more) auxiliary motors and the power output cannot exceed 200 watts. These bicycles have a throttle on the handlebar and do not require the rider to pedal to access the power.
- If an e-bike power output exceeds 200 watts (for power-assisted bicycle), exceeds 250 watts or travels more than 25km/h (for EPAC), or the motor is not the secondary source of power, then it is overpowered.
Police will continue to conduct e-bike enforcement operations over the coming months including over the school holidays which commence this week.
Parents and children are being urged to familiarise themselves with e-bike rules to ensure they aren't caught out riding illegal bikes which are subject to significant penalties.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
Quotes attributable to Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir:
"The majority of intercepts during Operation Consider has been e-bikes, and the majority of offences detected have been for being unregistered and unlicenced - meaning the e-bike was overpowered.
"This indicates to police that there is a clear lack of understanding, or blatant disregard, for compliance when it comes to e-bikes.
"The reality is the onus is on the rider to ensure they understand and comply with the rules before using their e-bike.
"That means ensuring the e-bike does not exceed the power or speed requirements and that the rider adheres the road rules applicable to all cyclists - such as wearing a helmet, not using a mobile phone or device while riding, using bicycle lanes and obeying traffic lights.
"We will always aim to educate and increase awareness of the rules, however we won't hesitate to enforce where there are blatant breaches of the rules - particularly when it puts other road users at risk.
"As we're about to head into the school holidays, we're asking all riders and even parents of e-bike riders to ensure they're familiar with the rules and using a compliant e-bike, otherwise they could face some significant penalties."
