E-bike legality, explained
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MOTOR.
Many riders assume the motor determines whether a bike is road legal. Queensland’s legislation adopts the EN15194 standard, which assesses the complete electric drive system "continuous output" rating.
“My motor says 500W, so my bike must be illegal.”
The most common thing we hear — and it's understandable. It's easy to assume the number printed on the motor or in the product listing is the number the law cares about. It isn't.
EN15194 AS THE PRESCRIBED EPAC STANDARD.
The standard state governments are predominantly following is EN 15194, the standard for electrically power-assisted cycles. It specifies a maximum continuous 250W output. What matters is how your system actually behaves on the road. It does not simply prescribe a motor label or nominal motor wattage.
The key concept
What “continuous power” actually means
Continuous power is the level of power an electric drive system can sustain continuously under specified operating conditions without overheating. It is a measure of the system’s ongoing output not its short-term peak capability and not simply the power rating stamped on the motor.
In normal riding, virtually every e-bike will briefly draw more power than its continuous rating when accelerating, climbing steep hills or carrying heavier loads. These short-duration increases are a normal characteristic of electric drive systems. Compliance is assessed against the system’s maximum continuous rated power, not these temporary peaks.
Importantly, continuous power is a characteristic of the complete electric drive system - not any one single component. The motor, controller, battery, display and firmware all work together to determine how the bike operates. As a result, the marking on a motor alone does not determine whether a bicycle complies with the prescribed standard; the complete drive system and its operating configuration must be considered.
Where Ampd Bros stands
Our position: update to EN 15194 settings
The Queensland legislation adopts EN 15194 as the prescribed technical standard for road-legal electrically power-assisted cycles. In our review of the Act, the legislation focuses on whether a bicycle complies with that prescribed standard and does not expressly distinguish between a bicycle originally manufactured in that configuration and one subsequently updated by the manufacturer to operate within those same requirements.
Accordingly, it is Ampd Bros’ interpretation that, where technically appropriate, an existing bicycle can be updated to an EN 15194-compliant configuration. The legislation does not expressly address retrofit conversions, however it also does not expressly prohibit them. Our position is therefore based on the wording of the Act and the requirements of the prescribed standard.
Not every bike will follow the same path. Depending on its age, hardware revision and overall condition, an update may be straightforward, additional components may be required, or another compliance pathway may be more appropriate. That’s why every assessment begins with an inspection of the bike at our Queensland headquarters, allowing us to recommend the most suitable option for that particular bike.
Speed & throttle rules
Your bike must only be capable of these limits
Alongside continuous output, compliance depends on what your bike is capable of — including through its settings. If the display or app allows the limits below to be exceeded, the bike isn't compliant, even if you never change those settings yourself.
Pedal assistance
Motor assistance must cut out at 25km/h. You can pedal faster — the motor just stops helping.
Throttle (walk assist)
A throttle is only compliant if it's limited to 6km/h — a walk-assist function, not a ride mode.
No unlockable settings
The system must not be modifiable through its settings to exceed these limits.
Throttle goes faster than 6km/h? The simplest fix is to remove the throttle altogether — your bike then runs as a pedal-assist-only system, which is the configuration the standard is built around.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
My bike motor says 500W. Does that automatically make it illegal?
In our view, not necessarily. The standard state governments are predominantly following — EN 15194 — specifies a continuous 250W output, not a "motor rating." The number printed on a motor or in a product listing isn't the figure the standard regulates. What matters is the sustained output your system is configured to deliver on the road.
Why does my bike briefly put out more than 250W?
Momentary spikes above the continuous figure — taking off from a standstill, climbing a steep hill — are a normal part of how electric drive systems operate. Continuous power is about what the system can sustain over a prolonged period without overheating, and that's what compliance comes down to.
My bike has a throttle. Is that a problem?
A throttle is only compliant if it's limited to 6km/h (walk assist). If your throttle can push the bike faster than that, the simplest fix is to remove the throttle altogether so the bike runs as a pedal-assist-only system.
I never touch the settings — does it matter that they could be changed?
Yes. The bike must not be capable of being modified through its settings to exceed the legal limits. If the display allows the speed limit or output to be raised beyond the thresholds, the bike isn't compliant regardless of how you personally use it.
Can you make my bike compliant?
If your bike is less than a year old, we can typically make your system to align with the compliant outputs and limits. If it's older than a year, we'd need it here in the shop to assess before advising on the best path forward.
Do these rules apply outside Queensland?
EN 15194 is the standard state governments are predominantly following, but the details are set state by state and can change. For the current requirements where you ride, check with your state transport authority — and if you're local, come in and we'll walk you through it.
Not sure where your bike stands?
Bring it in — we'll give you options on a path to compliance.
This page is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Road rules for e-bikes are set by state governments and may change — refer to your state transport authority for the current requirements.
