Victoria's train rules: factory e-bikes are fine, converted e-bikes are banned
Bicycle Network ran a reminder on 8 October 2026 about taking e-bikes on Victorian trains. The rules are not new, but they still catch people out, especially anyone who has fitted a motor kit to an older bike.
What is allowed
Factory-built e-bikes and e-scooters can travel on metropolitan trains, according to Transport Victoria. They must be switched off, and they cannot be ridden or charged on board or in station areas. You walk the bike through the station and ride once you are outside.
On V/Line regional trains, bringing an e-bike or e-scooter is free, but the conductor decides whether there is space. On the Albury, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool lines, bikes must be checked in at a staffed station at least 30 minutes before departure. On trams and buses, only folding e-bikes and e-scooters are allowed, and folders must fit within 82cm long, 69cm high and 39cm wide, with wheel rims no bigger than 51cm.
The converted e-bike ban
Converted e-bikes are banned on all trains and in ticketed areas such as platforms. The ban started on 21 December 2025, and Bicycle Network reported at the time that fire risk, particularly in tunnels, drove the decision. Transport Victoria describes a converted e-bike as a standard pedal bike modified with a motor and battery, including conversions done by a retailer or with a kit.
Signs of a conversion include a battery attached with hooks, loops, tape or cable ties, an external controller box, and an external motor. Transport Victoria says riders with a converted bike can be asked to leave and possibly fined, but does not state an amount.
What it means for buyers
If you plan to commute by train, buy a factory-built e-bike rather than a conversion kit on an old frame. Check the rules for your line before you travel, because V/Line check-in requirements differ by route. You can compare factory e-bikes on BikeFinder by motor type, weight and price to shortlist models that suit a mixed ride and train commute.