NSW eBikes Power Increase to 500w

Lmdw000 on 21/11/2023 - 21:18

I believe its still 250 watts (nominal) in other States but I just read that the limit has been raised to 500 watts in NSW but the max (assisted) speed is still 25km/h. So will manufacturer's make a NSW only compliant 500 watt bike, doubt it and existing 500 watt bikes for off road use would still not necessarily comply due to the top speed etc.

Electrically power-assisted cycles
An electrically power-assisted cycle has a maximum continued rated power of up to 500 watts. This power output must be:

progressively reduced as the bicycle’s speed increases beyond 6km/h
cut off when:
your bicycle reaches a speed of 25km/h
you stop pedalling and the speed exceeds 6km/h.

Sports & Outdoors Electric Bicycle

Comments

  • Drakesy on 22/11/2023 - 00:13
    +1

    Jaysus, 500w bikes will do 45kmh+ easily if hacked, i wonder what caused this.

    Not complaining though, looking forward to getting dropped by granny's on their coffee rides.

  • jv on 22/11/2023 - 01:02

    The laws are so stupid…

    Why should you have to pedal? All they need to do is limit the speed…

    and… If they are going to have these laws in the first place, why to don't they catch and fine all the food delivery drivers? They never pedal…

    • JIMB0 on 22/11/2023 - 06:36

      They also ride on the footpath and don't stop at red lights either

      • jv on 22/11/2023 - 08:52

        😲

    • Sinnerator on 26/11/2023 - 09:47

      around geroge st sydney cbd, every so often cops do fine delivery riders on push bikes along the light rail strip, and then you see the rider walking the bike afterwards with their head sagging

      • jv on 26/11/2023 - 12:25

        They should be jailed before they seriously hurt or kill someone.
        They are also uninsured in the case of damage or injury.

  • apsilon on 22/11/2023 - 05:17

    Many legal ebikes have actually been above the 250w limit for a long time, they comply by reducing power to the limit once you're moving. My nearly 10 year old Specialized for example is actually 750w IIRC but it only applies that power very briefly to get you going. You can feel the strong boost on the first pedal stroke. It then drops back to 250w so in theory, these bikes would just need a software update to comply with the new 500w limit.

  • donm on 22/11/2023 - 07:07
    +1

    Good on NSW!

    A speed limit is justified. I don't think a power limit is. There will be people who want to ride bikes with loads (kids, luggage, etc) and want to ride up hills. I think they'd struggle with the 250W limit.

  • pegaxs on 22/11/2023 - 09:53

    I can have a 500w ebike, but still cant ride my electric scooter anywhere… Good on you NSW for focusing on the stupid shit.

    And why not 15,000w bikes that are limited to 25km/h. If they are all limited to 25km/h, then the wattage should not matter.

    • Sinnerator on 26/11/2023 - 09:49

      because humans cannot be trusted, riders will not stick to 25kmph unless cops make a massive effort to enfore

      and with immigration and new riders not caring about Australian laws = this doesn't work

  • Euphemistic on 23/11/2023 - 19:02

    It’s probably just coming into line with euro standards.

    • mdw000 on 24/11/2023 - 14:09

      EU is still 250 watts and 25kmh but some members have decided to raise the limits. In Denmark for example they have what are called Speed pedelecs that are allowed to travel up to 45kmh.

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