Joint Media statement – 1 September 2025

Updated 3.30pm

Bicycle Industries Australia (BIA) and We Ride Australia have today joined to support the Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E‑Bikes) Bill 2025 that was tabled in Parliament today by the Member for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps.

The Bill proposed by Dr Scamps addresses a wave of non-compliant e-bikes that have been imported into Australia following changes to the Australian Design Rules under the Road Vehicle Standards Act in 2021 that removed reference to the internationally recognised standard for e-bikes.

Dr Scamps’ Bill calls for the re-introduction of a recognised e-bike standard under the National Roads Regulations and compulsory statements of compliance by all importers, a position we wholly support and endorse.

Above: Dr Scamps, the Member for Mackellar, seen here riding e-bikes with Kate Chaney MP, Dr Monique Ryan MP, and Nicolette Boele MP, tabled her e-bike safety bill in Parliament at 10.15am this morning. It was seconded in the House by Independent MP, Nicolette Boele.

Speaking to the intent of the Bill, BIA General Manager Peter Bourke said,

‘Our industry and bicycle organisations have been alarmed at the increase in the import and access to high powered and speed e-bikes and their impact on the growing number of crashes and deaths.

‘The 2021 change increased the access to non-compliant e-bikes and poor-quality equipment causing an increase in battery fires’, said Mr Bourke.

‘We recently wrote to the federal Minister for Transport, Catherine King and the Treasurer with Australian bicycle organisations asking them to them to stop the import of non-compliant e-bikes into this country.

‘This is what the Member for Mackellar’s Bill achieves and we were pleased to stand with Dr Scamps as she tabled the Bill in the House today’ Peter Bourke said.

Above, Peter Bourke addresses media in the Mural Hall at Parliament House on Monday, 1st September. Behind Peter from left to right are Nicolette Boele MP, Dr Monique Ryan MP, Allegra Spender MP and Dr Sophie Scamps MP, who tabled the Bill in Parliament today.

WeRide’s Director National Advocacy, Stephen Hodge also joined Dr Scamps in Parliament.

‘This Bill is about making sure every bike imported into Australia is safe.

‘Whether it’s the parents taking their children to school or using their bike to get to work, shops or visit friends, e-bikes are making a difference every day in Australia’ said Stephen Hodge.

Photo: Stephen Hodge addresses media in support of Dr Scamps’ e-bike safety Bill.

In support of her Private Members Bill, the Member for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps said,

“E-bikes are here to stay. They’re a healthy, affordable and active transport option, particularly for shorter trips and will play a vital role in our future clean transport system.

But right now, it’s a bit like the Wild West out there. We need clear rules about what can be imported, to protect riders, pedestrians, and the broader community,” said Dr Scamps.

BIA’s Peter Bourke joined WeRide’s Stephen Hodge in support of the tabling of the Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E‑Bikes) Bill 2025 by the Member for Mackellar in Parliament today, Monday 1st September 2025. It has been scheduled for debate in the upcoming sitting weeks of Parliament.

While Private Members Bills do not usually gain the support of the Government of the day, they serve to raise the issues with the Government and put pressure on all parties to seek a solution. This is another milestone for WeRide’s federal advocacy program and the first ever such Legislative Bill put to the House of Representatives.

We acknowledge and thank the Member for Mackellar for addressing serious community concerns around some e-bikes in our community with the drafting of this piece of legislation that addresses the cause of over-powered and non-compliant e-bike imports.

Industry letter to Minister

The bicycle sector letter of 31 July called on the federal Minister to:

  • re-establish an e-bike vehicle category within the Road Vehicle Standards act,
  • require evidence of compliance for every e-bike imported, and
  • update the definition of an e-bike to conform to EN15194, the accepted global standard for such vehicles. This is overwhelmingly the standard in use internationally that ensures the whole bike is covered by a standard for structural, mechanical and electrical safety.

More information

Media contacts

  • Peter Bourke, General Manager, Bicycle Industries Australia, mob. 0438 871 271
  • Stephen Hodge, Director – National Advocacy, We Ride Australia, mob. 0411 149 910