Reviewing safety standards for all e-micromobility devices
In May 2026, the government announced funding for the ACCC to develop nationally consistent safety standards for all e-micromobility devices.
This will include e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards for personal transport.
This program of work seeks to address an increase in injuries and deaths related to e-micromobility devices. There are also concerns of fire risks due to low quality as well as improper use or storage of lithium-ion batteries.
E-bike safety and current issues
The first focus for safety standards will be on e-bikes.
E-bikes are bicycles powered by batteries. They have pedals and are power-assisted by electric motors which engage through constant pedalling.
Most states and territories have rules that only allow the use of certain e-bikes in public spaces, such as paths and roads. These may have a power-assisted motor of up to 250 W, with a maximum power-assisted speed limit of 25 km/h.
However, e-bikes with motors upwards of 1000 W and assisting to speeds upwards of 50 km/h are increasingly being used in public. These overpowered e-bikes pose a significant safety risk to riders, passengers and pedestrians.
As the popularity of e-bikes grow, so has the risk of injury and death from the use of overpowered bikes. Damage to property has also increased due to fire safety hazards. This is mostly due to high-capacity, low-quality and unbranded or non-compatible lithium-ion batteries, and those in overpowered e-bikes.
Next steps to improve e-bike safety
Our first steps are to:
- investigate regulatory options to address the safety risks of e-bikes, starting in June 2026
- engage with stakeholders to seek views on proposed policy options. We expect to start consultation by late 2026. We will notify stakeholders when consultation begins.
Once we have the investigation and consultation outcomes, we will prepare a recommendation for the Minister on the making of a new mandatory safety standard.
Development process for mandatory safety standards
Creating a new mandatory standard is a rigorous process. It involves in-depth research, analysis and consultation with industry and consumer representatives.
When deciding whether to introduce a mandatory standard, the Australian Government must adhere to policy development protocols, including:
- the Best Practice Handbook on Standards and Conformance Policy
- the Australian Government Impact Analysis Framework
- the World Trade Organization Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade .
It also involves an Impact Analysis which considers the:
- current market forces influencing the product and market
- causes of potential dangers
- options for reducing the risk for consumers
- potential economic and social impact of regulatory and non-regulatory measures.
This process ensures any new regulatory option is evidence based, proportionate, and appropriately targeted to address the identified problem.