Dimboola Police have had several complaints about Power Assisted Bicycles and Scooters being ridden erratically around the Dimboola area.
Police have advised that they will be clamping down on these vehicles and owners of these types of vehicles should familiarise themselves with the current legislation.
A power assisted bicycle is identical to a pedal powered bicycle, except it has an auxiliary motor.
Power assisted bicycles have two definitions in Victoria:
A pedal cycle with one or more auxiliary propulsion motors attached which has a combined maximum power output not exceeding 200 watts.
A bicycle certified as a Pedalec (compliant with European Committee for Standardization EN 15194:2009 or EN 15194:2009+A1:2011 Cycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC Bicycles).
This bicycle features an auxiliary power producing no more than 250 watts and specifies this as a continuous rating. It also restricts the top power assisted speed to 25 kilometres per hour and requires the rider to pedal to access the power.
A motorised bicycle is not classed as a bicycle if:
the motor is the primary source of power
the motor's power output exceeds 200 watts (whether or not the motor is operating).
These are considered to be motorcycles. The rider will be required to hold a motorcycle licence and have the vehicle registered before it can be used on the road network. Motorcycles cannot be ridden on footpaths or bicycle paths. Motorcycle riders must wear an approved motorcycle helmet.
A Pedalec is a type of power assisted bicycle equipped with one or more auxiliary propulsion motors. It allows a maximum power of 250 watts, with a safeguard allowing for power assistance only when the bicycle is travelling at less than 25km/h and the rider is pedaling. This means that the rider must pedal to obtain help from the auxiliary motor(s) and cannot simply be propelled by the motor alone. Note: The motor may operate without the rider pedaling up to a speed of 6km/h.
A motorised scooter:
has the same features as a foot scooter
is moved by pushing one foot against the ground, by an electric motor, or by a combination of both
has an electric motor with a maximum power output of 200 watts or fewer
is not able to travel faster than 10 km/h when ridden on level ground.
Your motorised scooter is classed as a motor vehicle if it:
is powered by a petrol motor
has a maximum power of more than 200 watts
can go faster than 10 km/h.
If your motorised scooter is classed as a motor vehicle it can only be used on the road if it is registered and the rider has a motorcycle licence or learner permit. But, you can use it on private property.
A rider of a power assisted bicycle must comply with Victorian bicycle road rules. Visit the VicRoads bicycle road rules page for more information.
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