E-bike and e-scooter rules in New South Wales
Last reviewed 14 Oct 2026 by Grian Myers. General information, not legal advice. Check the official sources below.
In short: In NSW, e-bikes must be 250 W pedelecs meeting EN 15194, and every e-bike sold since 1 Feb 2026 must be certified. Private e-scooters are still illegal in public.
E-bikes
- Road rules: the power limit returned to 250 W under EN 15194 from about March 2026. E-bikes that were compliant under the old 500 W rule are exempt until 1 March 2029.
- Police can seize and crush illegal e-bikes from 21 August 2026.
- Sale rules: since 1 February 2025, only e-bikes meeting prescribed standards can be sold. Up to 500 W that means AS 15194, EN 15194:2017+A1:2023 or UL 2849. Over 500 W it means UL 2849. Batteries must meet EN 50604-1, IEC 62133-2 or UL 2271.
- From 1 February 2026, products need accredited lab testing and a Certificate of Approval, with a safety approval mark on the product and on online listings.
- The NSW Information Standard (updated June 2026) requires every e-bike listing to show whether it complies with EN 15194.
- From 1 February 2027, UL 2271:2018 and UL 2272:2016 will no longer be accepted.
- Converted e-bikes have been banned on Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink and Metro since 1 November 2025.
- Penalties for suppliers: up to $825,000 for non-compliant products and $5,500 per Information Standard breach.
What counts as an e-bike nationally · E-bikes with a stated EN 15194 compliance
E-scooters
- Private e-scooters are illegal on roads, footpaths and shared paths. Only approved shared-scheme trials are allowed, and legalisation is under review.
- In shared trials the limits are 20 km/h on roads and 10 km/h on shared paths, and riders must be 16+.
- E-scooters sold in NSW must meet AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023, EN 17128 or UL 2272, and listings must tell buyers to check local laws.
| Private e-scooter in public | Illegal (shared trials only; legalisation under review) |
|---|---|
| Speed limits (km/h) | 20 road, 10 shared path |
| Age | 16+ |
Common questions
Can I ride a 500 W e-bike in NSW?
From about March 2026 the NSW limit is back to 250 W under EN 15194. E-bikes that met the previous 500 W rule are exempt until 1 March 2029.
How do I check if an e-bike is certified in NSW?
NSW publishes a list of certified e-micromobility products. Since 1 February 2026, certified products must also carry a safety approval mark on the product and on online listings.
Are private e-scooters legal in NSW?
No. Private e-scooters cannot be ridden on roads or paths in NSW. Only approved shared-scheme trials are allowed while legalisation is reviewed.
Official and expert sources
- NSW Government: supplying e-micromobility products
- NSW Government: new Information Standard for e-micromobility products
- NSW Government: certified e-micromobility product list
- Bicycle NSW: towards safe, legal e-bikes in NSW
- NRMA: rules for e-scooters and e-bikes
- WestCycle: e-scooter rules across Australia (PDF)
Changelog
- 14 Oct 2026: page published with rules current to this date.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it.