Police Conduct Major E-bike Crackdown

Police have issued hundreds of fines during a major road policing operation this month in Melbourne’s CBD targeting non-compliant e-bikes.

Operation Consider, which sees members from Victoria Police’s State Highway Patrol and Solo Unit teaming up with North West Metro’s Bike Patrol, has relaunched this month, with police focused on enforcing e-bike compliance and safety.

Police have patrolled the CBD streets and surrounds using bicycles, motorcycles and highway patrol vehicles targeting riders using overpowered and illegal e-bikes.

There has been a particular focus on food delivery riders using e-bikes in the CBD.

Police have issued 174 traffic infringements to non-compliant e-bike riders so far this month, including 44 for unregistered vehicles, and 32 for unlicensed riders.

An overpowered e-bike is considered a motorcycle and subject to the same road rules as other motorcycles, including licencing and registration.

If caught on an overpowered or non-compliant e-bike, penalties can include using an unregistered vehicle which carries a $1018 fine or unlicenced driving, also a $1018 fine.

Police also issued 40 infringements to e-bike riders for failing to wear a helmet, which carries a $254 penalty.

A total 275 infringements have been issued by police during Operation Consider in June, including:

• E-bike riders – total 174 offences, including:
• 44 unregistered vehicle offences for overpowered e-bikes
• 40 helmet offences for e-bike riders
• 32 unlicenced driver offences for riders of overpowered e-bikes
• 11 failing to obey traffic signals / signs offences
• 6 defect notices
• 2 disqualified drivers

• Other road users – total 101 offences, including:
• 20 mobile phone offences
• 16 cyclist offences
• 12 failing to obey traffic signals / signs offences
• 10 unregistered vehicle offences
• 9 defect notices
• 5 disqualified / unlicenced driving offences
• 4 speeding offences
• 2 seatbelt offences
• 2 impoundments

Police also conducted 164 preliminary breath tests and four roadside drug tests, but no drink or drug driving offences were detected.

Riders are being reminded to check that their e-bike meets the following criteria to be considered legal:

• An electrically-powered assisted cycle (EPAC) is the most commonly available type of e-bike which features an auxiliary propulsion motor that cannot exceed more than 250 watts, and the top power speed is restricted to 25km/h, with the rider required to pedal to access the power.

• The other type, a power-assisted bicycle, is identical to a pedal powered bicycle, except it has one (or more) auxiliary motors and the power output cannot exceed 200 watts. These bicycles have a throttle on the handlebar and do not require the rider to pedal to access the power.

• If an e-bike power output exceeds 200 watts (for power-assisted bicycle), exceeds 250 watts or travels more than 25km/h (for EPAC), or the motor is not the secondary source of power, then it is overpowered.

Police will continue to conduct e-bike enforcement operations over the coming months including over the school holidays which commence this week.

Parents and children are being urged to familiarise themselves with e-bike rules to ensure they aren’t caught out riding illegal bikes which are subject to significant penalties.

For more information, visit the e-bike safety page on the Victoria Police website.

Quotes attributable to Road Policing Acting Superintendent, Craig McEvoy:

“The majority of offences detected during Operation Consider have been for unregistered vehicles and unlicenced drivers – meaning the e-bike was overpowered.

“This indicates to police there is a clear lack of understanding, or blatant disregard, for compliance when it comes to e-bikes.

“It is paramount all riders ensure they understand and comply with the rules before using an e-bike.

“You must ensure your e-bike does not exceed the power of speed requirements, and that you adhere to the road rules applicable to all cyclists – including wearing a helmet and using bicycle lanes.

“Operation Consider isn’t just about enforcement; we will always aim to educate riders and increase awareness around the rules, however we will enforce when necessary, particularly when it puts other road users at risk.

“As we’re about to head into the school holidays, we’re asking all riders and also parents of children who ride e-bikes, to ensure they’re familiar with the rules and using a compliant e-bike.

“Not only could you face some significant penalties, but we’ve also seen a lot of road trauma occur this year due to use of non-compliant e-bikes, which is completely avoidable.”