Electric bikes and electric scooters are legal in many places in Australia, but the rules change depending on where you ride. Some states are welcoming, while others are still restrictive.
Here’s a clear breakdown by state (as of January 2026):
- Victoria
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- Australian Capital Territory
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
Victoria (VIC)
Electric Scooters
It is legal to ride your privately-owned electric scooters across Victoria, as long as it has a maximum speed of 25 KPH and does not weigh more than 45 KG. Note that riding on footpaths is not allowed, and you can’t carry passengers or animals.
Check out this link for more information.
Electric Bikes
Electric bikes are legal to use on Victorian roads, but you must follow the state’s bicycle road rules. It must fall under one of the following e-bike types:
Electrically power-assisted cycle (EPAC)
- Have a maximum continuous rated power of 250W
- Have a motor that provides power assistance when the rider is pedalling, up to 25 KPH
- Have a motor that does not provide power at speeds higher than 25 KPH
Power-assisted bicycles
- Must not produce a combined maximum continuous rated power output of more than 200W
For more information, please check out this link.
|
VIC |
Electric Scooter |
Electric Bike |
|
Footpaths |
No |
No |
|
Shared paths |
Yes |
Yes, but keep left and give way to all pedestrians |
|
Bike paths |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Bike lanes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Roads |
Yes (roads with a speed limit of 60 KPH or less) |
Yes |
New South Wales (NSW)
Electric Scooters
As of December 2025, it remains illegal to ride a personally-owned electric scooter on NSW roads and road-related areas. You can only ride these on private property.
That said, there are e-scooter trials with specified locations where you can legally ride a shared e-scooter provided. Note that it is not legal to ride your own electric scooter in these trial sites.
Check out this link for more information.
Electric Bikes
Electric bikes are legal to use on NSW public roads and road-related areas as long as they are either power-assisted pedal cycles and electrically power-assisted cycles.
Power-assisted pedal cycles
- Have one or more motors that deliver a combined maximum power output of 200W
- Weigh less than 50 KG
- Can’t be propelled only by the motor/s.
Electrically power-assisted cycles
- Have a maximum continued rated power of up to 500W
- Power must progressively reduce as the bike’s speed increases beyond 6 KPH
- Power must cut off when the bike reaches a speed of 25 KPH or when you stop pedalling and the speed exceeds 6 KPH
As of December 2025, the NSW government announced they will soon be changing the rules for e-bikes, so stay tuned. For now, it is best to choose a bike that meets European Standard EN 15194 (EN 15194 mark).
For more information, please check out this link.
|
NSW |
Electric Scooter (Privately Owned) |
Electric Scooter (Shared) |
Electric Bike |
|
Footpaths |
No |
No |
No, unless under 16 or an adult accompanying a person under 16 |
|
Shared paths |
No |
Yes (limited to 10 KPH) and must give way to pedestrians |
Yes and must give way to pedestrians |
|
Bike paths |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Bike lanes |
No |
Yes, where the road is 50 KPH or slower (device limited to 20 KPH) |
Yes |
|
Roads |
No |
Yes, where the road is 50 KPH or slower (device limited to 20 KPH) |
Yes, unless there is a 'no bicycle' sign |
Queensland (QLD)
Electric Scooters
Electric scooters, considered to be a type of personal mobility device, are legal to use on Queensland roads, except in areas with a “personal mobility devices prohibited” sign.
For your e-scooter to be considered legal in the state, it must be designed for use by one person only, have a maximum weight of 60 KG, and powered by an electric motor.
Check out this link for more information.
Electric Bikes
Electric bikes are legal to use in the state of Queensland, as long as it meets the following requirements:
- Have a motor with a maximum continuous power output of 250W
- Be pedal powered with motor assistance up to 25 KPH
- Have a motor that stops providing assistance after 25 KPH
- Have a motor that can work without pedalling, but only up to 6 KPH
You can ride on most roads, unless signs say bikes are not allowed. For more information, please check out this link.
|
QLD |
Electric Scooter |
Electric Bike |
|
Footpaths |
Yes (12 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes, but keep left and give way to all pedestrians |
|
Shared paths |
Yes (12 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes, but keep left and give way to all pedestrians |
|
Bike paths |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Bike lanes |
Yes (25 KPH on roads with a speed limit of 50 KPH or less) |
Yes |
|
Roads |
Yes (25 KPH on roads with a speed limit of 50 KPH or less with no dividing line) |
Yes, unless there is a 'no bicycle' sign |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Electric Scooters
It is legal to ride personal mobility devices such as e-scooters in ACT. They are permitted on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths, and the bike side of separated paths.
However, they are not allowed on roads unless there is no footpath, shared path, or nature strip next to the road. If you have to ride on the road, do so following the shortest and safest route.
Check out this link for more information.
Electric Bikes
Riding electric bikes is legal in ACT, provided your e-bike falls under one of the following categories:
Motor-assisted pedal cycles
- Have electric motors with up to 200W combined maximum power
Pedalecs
- Have motors that deliver up to 250W continuous rated power
These bicycles must be designed to be primarily propelled by pedalling, with the electric motor only supplying supplementary power.
For more information, please check out this link.
|
ACT |
Electric Scooter |
Electric Bike |
|
Footpaths |
Yes (15 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes, but keep left and give way to all pedestrians |
|
Shared paths |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes, but keep left and give way to all pedestrians |
|
Bike paths |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Bike lanes |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Roads |
No, unless there is no footpath, shared path, or nature strip next to the road |
Yes |
South Australia (SA)
Electric Scooters
Electric scooters were made legal to use in South Australia starting in July 2025, provided they meet various requirements like the following:
- Propelled by an electric motor
- Has a maximum weight of 45 KG
- Has no sharp protrusions
- Is no more than 125 CM long, 70 CM wide, and 135 CM high
Check out this link for more information.
Electric Bikes
Riding electric bikes is also legal in South Australia, as long as the bike falls under one of the two categories:
Power-assisted pedal cycles
- Have an electric motor(s) with a combined maximum power output of 200W
- Are not propelled by only the motors
Electrically power-assisted cycles
- Have a maximum continuous electric power output not exceeding 250W
- Output progressively reduces as the cycle’s travel speed increases above 6 KPH
- Output cuts off once cycle reaches 25 KPH
For more information, please check out this link.
|
SA |
Electric Scooter |
Electric Bike |
|
Footpaths |
Yes (10 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Shared paths |
Yes (10 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Bike paths |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Bike lanes |
Yes (roads with speed limit of 50 KPH or less, 25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Roads |
Yes (roads with speed limit of 60 KPH but only in the bicycle lane) |
Yes |
Western Australia (WA)
Electric Scooters
eRideables, like electric scooters, are legal to use in Western Australia, as long as it doesn’t go faster than 25 KPH on level ground, weighs no more than 25 KG, and is no more than 125 CM long, 70 CM wide, and 135 CM high.
Check out this link for more information.
Electric Bikes
Like other states, electric bikes are legal in Western Australia as long as they belong to one of the following categories:
Power-assisted pedal cycles (PAPCs)
- Have a motor up to 200W
Pedelecs (complying with European Standard EN 15194)
- Have a motor up to 250W
For more information, please check out this link.
|
WA |
Electric Scooter |
Electric Bike |
|
Footpaths |
Yes (10 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes, but give way to all pedestrians |
|
Shared paths |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes, but give way to all pedestrians |
|
Bike paths |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Bike lanes |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes |
|
Roads |
Yes (25 KPH maximum speed) |
Yes, except on freeways and where there is a “no bicycles” sign |
Tasmania (TAS)
Electric Scooters
Electric scooters became legal in Tasmania back in December 2021, with the requirement that they are not capable of travelling faster than 25 KPH, are less than 45 KG, and are less than 125 CM long, 70 CM wide, and 135 CM high. It must also be designed for use by only one person.
Check out this link for more information.
Electric Bikes
There are two categories of electric bikes that are legal to use in the state of Tasmania:
Power-assisted pedal cycles
- Propelled through pedalling with an auxiliary motor capable of generating no more than 200W
Electrically power-assisted bicycle (EPAC)
- Have a maximum continuous rated power of 250W
- Must progressively reduce as the travel speed increases above 6 KPH
- Is cut off when a speed of 25 KPH is reached
For more information, please check out this link.
|
TAS |
Electric Scooter |
Electric Bike |
|
Footpaths |
Yes, except where a “no personal mobility device” sign is installed |
Yes, but give way to all pedestrians |
|
Shared paths |
Yes |
Yes, but give way to all pedestrians |
|
Bike paths |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Bike lanes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Roads |
Yes (roads with speed limit of 50 KPH or less) |
Yes |
Northern Territory (NT)
Electric Scooters
It remains illegal to ride a personally-owned electric scooter in the Northern Territory. You can only do so on private property.
That said, you can hire electric scooters in the Darwin area, under an agreement with Beam Mobility Australia.
Check out this link for more information.
Electric Bikes
Electric bicycles are legal in the Northern Territory and must be ridden how you would ride a regular bicycle.
For more information, please check out this link.
|
NT |
Electric Scooter (Privately Owned) |
Electric Scooter (Hired) |
Electric Bike |
|
Footpaths |
No |
Yes (limited to 15 KPH) |
Yes, but keep left and give way to all pedestrians |
|
Shared paths |
No |
Yes (limited to 15 KPH) |
Yes, but keep left and give way to all pedestrians |
|
Bike paths |
No |
Yes (limited to 15 KPH) |
Yes |
|
Bike lanes |
No |
Yes (limited to 15 KPH) |
Yes |
|
Roads |
No |
No, unless there is an obstruction on a footpath, nature strip, or shared path (only for less than 50 M) |
Yes, but ride close to the far left side of the road |
Wrapping Up
Electric bikes and e-scooters are now part of everyday transport across Australia, but the rules are not uniform. E-bikes are generally legal nationwide if they meet power and speed limits, while e-scooter laws vary widely by state.
Before riding, always check your local regulations, make sure your device is compliant, and ride with other road and path users in mind. Staying informed is the easiest way to ride legally, safely, and confidently.