Volkswagen enters the e-bike market, and Australians can preorder now

A carmaker's take on bike safety

Volkswagen has launched its first e-bike range, built under licence by n+, the company behind the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One branded e-bikes. The Sport and Crossover models carry a 250W motor with 25 km/h assist, an integrated rear view camera feeding a handlebar mounted display, and a radar system that warns riders of approaching traffic from behind, similar in concept to Garmin's Varia units.

A yellow LED strip built into the top tube glows under braking and flashes to signal a turn, and a companion Smart Helmet pairs over Bluetooth with crash detection and an automatic emergency alert. Optional Smart Glasses add navigation prompts and blind spot warnings in the rider's field of view.

What it costs, where it is sold

Preorders are open through the official Volkswagen Smart eBike store, which runs an Australian storefront priced in local dollars: the Sport lists at $6,599 and the Crossover at $7,199, each in three frame sizes. The Smart Helmet and Smart Glasses are sold separately, and the bikes are slated for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to certification. There is no bricks and mortar Australian dealer network yet, so this is a direct order proposition for now.

Timing and context

The launch comes as Volkswagen works through a large restructuring program affecting its core car business, and it reflects a wider trend of automotive safety tech (radar, cameras, connected alerts) migrating onto bicycles rather than the other way around.

This is a preorder on a first generation product, so treat the delivery timing with the usual caution. If the connected safety angle appeals, similar individual features (radar taillights, crash detection helmets) are already available separately from brands sold locally, and worth comparing on BikeFinder while you wait for the Volkswagen bikes to land.