Australians back heavy fines and under 16 limits over e-bike bans, a 2,052 person survey finds
Image: Reid (catalogue photo, used for illustration)
As governments across Australia tighten e-bike rules, a new University of Melbourne study asks what the public actually wants. The researchers surveyed 2,052 Australians and published the findings through The Conversation, republished by Bicycling Australia on 30 October 2026.
What people support
Respondents rated policies from 0 (strongly oppose) to 10 (strongly support). Outright bans on e-bikes averaged 5.0, and bans on e-scooters averaged 4.8. Banning the devices from public transport also drew relatively weak support.
Heavy fines for improper or illegal use had the strongest backing, at 7.9 for e-bikes and 7.8 for e-scooters. Restrictions on riders under 16 followed, at 7.6 for e-bikes and 7.5 for e-scooters.
How the survey worked
The sample was split into four equal groups. One group answered questions about e-bikes and another answered identical questions about e-scooters. The other two groups repeated the survey after reading ten negative news headlines about the device, covering injuries, pedestrian collisions, footpath obstruction, rule breaking and battery fires. Those headlines lowered favourable attitudes to both devices, and the effect was significantly stronger for e-scooters.
The rules today
The article notes that rules differ by state. In NSW, compliant e-bikes are allowed on roads and paths, but privately owned e-scooters are not. In Victoria, e-scooter riders must be at least 16, but there is no equivalent minimum age for compliant e-bikes. Queensland and NSW authorities have seized hundreds of non compliant e-bikes, including ones with motors over the legal power limit or modified to go faster than allowed. NSW, Queensland and WA have each held public inquiries into e-bikes and e-scooters over the past two years.
The authors say there is no well established regulatory standard for either device, and that US and European evidence suggests the safety risks are very similar. They argue that points to a case for removing some of the legal distinctions between the two, and that regulation should rest on evidence rather than public opinion.
What it means for buyers
This is research, not a rule change, and nothing about what you can legally buy or ride has changed. The direction of travel is still toward enforcement against modified and over powered bikes, plus age limits in some places. If you are shopping, stick to compliant models (250W motor, 25km/h assist limit) and compare them on BikeFinder.