E-bike Safety Concerns Rise as Christmas Approaches

Australian authorities are raising urgent safety concerns about electric bicycles as the Christmas shopping season intensifies, warning parents about potentially dangerous models that may find their way under family trees this year.

The warning comes as new data reveals the growing toll of e-bike related injuries across the country. A Queensland Sunshine Coast hospital treated 176 people for e-bike related injuries between January 2023 and December 2024, equivalent to one case every four days according to research published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

Fatal Incidents Prompt Regulatory Review

The safety concerns have intensified following several recent fatalities. In September, 17-year-old Hudson Gagg died in an e-bike accident on the Gold Coast, prompting his family to advocate for stronger regulation and safety reforms.

Last week in New South Wales, two separate incidents resulted in one death and one critical injury. A man in his thirties died after his e-bike collided with a garbage truck in Ultimo, while another rider in his fifties remains in critical condition following a collision with a truck on Sydney's northern beaches.

Regulatory Framework Under Scrutiny

The Queensland government has initiated a parliamentary inquiry into e-bike and e-scooter safety, with findings expected in March. Meanwhile, NSW authorities are emphasising existing regulations that govern e-bike specifications and usage.

Under NSW law, e-bikes must require pedal propulsion, with motors designed only to assist during challenging conditions such as uphill climbs or headwinds. Motor assistance must automatically cease when the bicycle reaches 25 kilometres per hour.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Driver cautioned consumers against purchasing overpowered models. "If you are considering buying an e-bike for Christmas, make sure it complies with NSW law," he stated. "Don't get pressured by your children, peers or salespeople into buying the most powerful bike."

Market Growth and Safety Standards

With an estimated 600,000 e-bikes currently in NSW and significant Christmas sales anticipated, the state government has implemented power restrictions. Recent legislation imposes 250-watt power limits, reducing previous allowances for 500-watt motors.

At the federal level, the Australian government has committed to implementing import requirements ensuring e-bikes meet European EN 15194 safety standards.

Transport Minister John Graham emphasised the balance between encouraging active transport and maintaining safety standards. "E-bikes are fantastic for getting kids outside, active and independent but they need to be safe," he said. "We're seeing devices on the market that are far too powerful, too easy to modify and too hard for parents to assess."

The minister's guidance to parents is straightforward: "Check the sticker, check the wattage, and have a conversation with your kids about staying safe."

As the Christmas period approaches, authorities continue investigating the causes of recent accidents while emphasising the importance of purchasing compliant vehicles and maintaining awareness of safety regulations.