Media statement 17 November 2025

WeRide has viewed the extensive coverage of current e-bike safety issues that aired last night on Channel 9’s ‘60 Minutes’ program, ‘Riding for a Fall’.

The report covered two tragic crashes and the trauma caused by the use of bikes imported into Australia that do not meet our safety standards and are not appropriate (or legal) for use on our streets, especially by children.

Peter Bourke, Executive Officer of WeRide was also extensively quoted in his role as General Manager of the peak industry body, Bicycle Industries Australia. Peter continues to be sought out by media and governments for his expertise in bicycle standards, safety and regulation. Bicycle NSW CEO, Peter Mclean was also interviewed.

Above: Peter Bourke is interviewed by Amelia Adams on 60 Minutes.

The critical issue for ensuring that Australians have access to safe and legal product is the limited border controls allowing poor quality or overpowered products to enter the country that can be easily tampered with to increase power and speed. This is of significant concern to all bicycle organisations, emergency care physicians, the Police and State and Territory governments across Australia.

The use of e-bikes that are safe and compliant with recognised international standards, should not be confused with high-power, high-speed machines that have been imported since the change to our regulations in 2021. The 2021 federal change has increased the availability and access to unsafe and non-compliant products that can be tampered with to increase speed and power, which many unwitting parents have purchased for their children.

WeRide, together with all Australian bicycle organisations, have previously written to the Treasurer and Transport Minister, the Hon. Catherine King, seeking action to reintroduce previously effective import controls and National Roads Regulations that prevented the import of dangerous machines, more accurately called e-motorbikes.

Above: Bicycle NSW CEO, Peter Mclean demonstrates various legal and non-legal e-bikes to host, Amelia Adams.

Several state transport ministers have also written to the Australian Government expressing their concerns and a response to the concerns will be discussed in the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM) in just a few days.

The response to the significant safety concerns of parents, users, bicycle organisations, Police, trauma specialists and government agencies is now in the hands of ITMM and federal authorities, who control the import of these machines.

We believe that reference to an appropriate national safety standard and simple regulatory changes are needed to return to a sensible approach to the import and sale of machines fit for purpose. It was a regulatory change in 2021 that opened the floodgates to the import and use of machines more aptly called e-motorbikes.

They should not be imported and used on our streets and footpaths, and never by children.

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