Bike riders in Victoria can continue to take their e-bikes onto trains across the state.
However, e-bike kits and modified e-bikes will be banned on the rail network.
The state government made the move following months of investigation and consultation over the risks of battery fires to the public and to tolling stock, particularly if trains were in tunnels.
The Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams has announced that the highest risk e-bikes – those powered with after-market kits and those that have been modified and no longer comply with rules for e-bikes – will be excluded from the train network.
She said the new regulations would make public transport fairer and strike a balance between the popularity of e-bikes and keeping travellers safe.
“E-bikes and e-scooters are a relatively new but important part of our integrated transport system,” she said.
“We have seen a rise of modified vehicles and low-quality batteries that do not meet international safety standards – increasing the chance for a fire on our public transport network."
The possibility of a prohibition on riders taking their electric-assist machines on trains was raised in July following several instances of lithium-ion batteries catching alight aboard trains, resulting in major network disruption and damage to carriages.
Such fires, in buildings as well as trains, have been linked to bicycles that have been modified by after-market electric motor kits with batteries.
There have been no reported fires involving e-bikes that comply with the official EU 15194 standard that federal and state governments have recently agreed reimpose nationally.
The EU 15194 now includes a battery specific standard, EN 50604-1, that will ensure that all e-bikes imported into Australia comply with stringent safety standards.
Bicycle Network asked the state government to reconsider its proposed ban on e-bikes and focus on resolving the underlying problem of poorly designed, illegal and unsafe electric bikes flooding the market.
The campaign resulted in more than 1,000 people making submissions asking for the proposed bans to be abandoned.
Alison McCormack, Bicycle Network CEO, thanked the Minister for opening up the decision making process so that bike riders were able to have a say.
“Bicycle Network was also able to brief government officers and facilitate the flow of information from the bike sector to the government to ensure that the decision makers had a full understanding of the advances in technology that part of every bike built to conform with the industry standards.
“With the changes that are now afoot for tighter regulation we will be able to ensure that e-bikes are safe on the road, in trains and in buildings.”
When new rules are introduced on 21 December 2025, you will not be allowed to bring a converted e-bike on board a metropolitan or regional train in Victoria, or into a ticketed area, e.g., onto a platform.
A converted e-bike is a pedal bicycle that has been modified to make it an electric bicycle. This includes pedal bikes converted ‘pre-purchase’ (i.e., from a retailer) or ‘post-purchase’ (using a conversion kit), and includes conversions installed by a bicycle mechanic.
Converted e-bikes typically have one or more of the following identifiable features:
- a battery that is attached to the bicycle frame using hooks, loops, tape or cable ties
- an externally mounted controller box
- an externally mounted motor.
This guide provides a more detailed description and examples of converted e-bikes.
E-bikes and e-scooters cannot be turned on, charged or ridden onboard public transport services, on platforms or in station precincts.
General rules also apply:
- don’t board at the first door of the first carriage. This is a priority area for passengers with accessibility requirements
- make sure your bike or e-scooter doesn’t block doors or aisles
- avoid busy carriages and travelling during peak hours
- walk your bike or e-scooter on trains, platforms and through stations; only ride once you’ve left the station precinct.
In another regulatory change small children’s bicycles (designed for preschool-aged children with a wheel circumference up to 31cm) are now permitted on trains, trams and buses.
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