Victoria e-bike laws (October 2026): 250 W, any age, helmets and trains

Victoria follows the national pedal-assist rules, with a few local twists on footpaths and public transport. Here is a plain-English summary — general information, not legal advice.

The short version

• Power: up to 250 W continuous rated power (EPAC). Look for EN 15194 compliance.
• Assistance stops at 25 km/h, and only works while you pedal. A throttle (“walk mode”) only to 6 km/h.
• Any age, no licence: people of any age can ride an e-bike in Victoria without a licence. No registration.
• Helmet: always.
• Footpaths: riders 13 and older can’t ride on the footpath, unless accompanying a child under 13.
• Converted e-bikes are banned on trains. Factory e-bikes are allowed on metro trains.
• Illegal e-bikes are treated as motor vehicles — fines of over $1,000.

What counts as a legal e-bike in Victoria

• EPAC (pedelec): maximum continuous rated power 250 W, assistance only while pedalling and cut off at 25 km/h. You can go faster under your own pedal power.
• Power-assisted pedal cycle: up to 200 W peak output. These are rare.

Every e-bike must have working pedals. Toggle switches or tampering that override the power limits make a bike illegal on public roads. Petrol engines and high-powered electric dirt bikes are only allowed on private property.

Helmets, footpaths and paths

• Helmet: riders must always wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Footpaths: riders aged 13 and older can’t ride on the footpath unless they are with someone younger than 13.
• Shared paths: keep left and give way to pedestrians. Riding a non-compliant e-bike on any path is illegal.

Trains, trams and buses

• Metro trains: factory-built e-bikes are allowed — switched off, not ridden or charged on board or in stations. Avoid peak hours where possible.
• V/Line: free at the conductor’s discretion. On the Albury, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool lines, check the bike in at a staffed station 30 minutes before departure.
• Trams and buses: folding bikes and e-bikes only, up to 82 × 69 × 39 cm.
• Converted e-bikes are banned (including kit conversions) from metropolitan and regional trains and ticketed areas, under the Conduct on Public Transport Regulations 2025. A petition for exemptions was tabled in August 2026.

Fines and enforcement

A non-compliant e-bike is treated as a motor vehicle, so a rider can be charged with driving an unregistered motor vehicle and without a licence. Using prohibited devices on roads or paths carries fines of over $1,000.

Battery safety

Victoria has no mandatory e-bike battery standard yet. Energy Safe Victoria says devices must meet electrical safety standards, but no independent testing is required before sale, and it consulted in late 2025 on making certification mandatory. Transport Victoria advises buying products marked AS/NZS 3820, UL 2849, EN 15194 or with the Regulatory Compliance Mark. See our battery fire safety guide.

Theft in Victoria

Bicycle Network’s analysis of Crime Statistics Agency data found over 7,000 bikes stolen in Victoria in a year — about 19 a day. Record your frame serial in a free Bike Passport so a recovered bike can be matched to you.

Where to ride

Victoria has some of Australia’s best rail trails: the Murray to Mountains, Great Victorian and Lilydale to Warburton. See all Victorian e-bike trails and Victorian e-bike shops.

Is my e-bike legal? Free 1-minute check →

Sources

• Electric bikes — Transport Victoria
• E-bike and e-scooter safety laws in Victoria — Victoria Police (updated 15 Jun 2026)
• Bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters on public transport — Transport Victoria
• Electrical safety requirements for e-transport devices — Energy Safe Victoria
• Petition: exemptions to the ban of converted e-bikes on trains — Parliament of Victoria
• What we’ve learnt about bike thefts in Victoria — Bicycle Network (Dec 2022)

This guide explains things in general terms. It is not legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.