by Mary Payne
If an e-bike is at the top of your teen’s Christmas list this year, you’re far from alone. Walk past any Northern Beaches school at home time and you’ll see why they want one.
As a registered nurse and former paramedic, and a mum of four boys, unfortunately I’ve seen what happens when things go wrong on the road. So when parents ask me what they should know before buying, my answer is that most of the safety work happens before the bike ever leaves the shop. Here’s what I’d check.
1. Make sure it’s actually a legal e-bike
This is the one that catches so many families out. Plenty of bikes are sold online as “e-bikes” however cannot legally be ridden on NSW roads or paths, regardless of what the listing actually says.
In NSW, a legal e-bike is pedalled by the rider, and the motor only helps. NSW allows more power than most states, up to 500 watts on a pedal-assist e-bike, but the assistance has to ease off as the bike speeds up past 6 km/h and cut out completely at 25 km/h. The wattage on its own doesn’t tell you much. A bike that will happily cruise along on a throttle without any pedalling is a red flag.
Rules differ from state to state, so if your teen will be riding somewhere else over the holidays, check that state’s rules too.
It’s also worth knowing that NSW law already sets a change for 1 March 2029. From that date, a road legal e-bike in NSW will need to meet the European standard EN 15194. If you’re spending serious money this Christmas, ask the shop whether the bike meets it.
2. Look for the approval marks on the bike, the battery and the charger
E-bikes, batteries and chargers sold in NSW must be certified for electrical safety. NSW Fair Trading advises buying from a reliable manufacturer or retailer and looking for an electrical safety approval mark on the bike, the battery and the charger. That’s three separate marks, one on each.
If you’re buying second-hand, NSW Fair Trading’s advice is to have a professional check the bike to make sure it’s in good working order and hasn’t been modified, and never to use a second-hand battery. That includes the battery that comes with a used bike. So when you’re comparing prices, factor in a new battery recommended by the manufacturer. A bargain bike can stop being a bargain quite quickly.
3. Plan where the battery will charge before Christmas morning
Picture the scene. The bike is wrapped, the battery is charging overnight in the lounge room so it’s ready to go. It’s an easy mistake to make, and it’s exactly what Fire and Rescue NSW warns against.
Fire and Rescue NSW advises:
- Charge in an open area like a garage or shed, away from exits.
- Don’t charge in or near living spaces like bedrooms or living rooms.
- Only charge on hard surfaces that can’t catch on fire, like concrete floors or tiles.
- Make sure nothing around it could catch on fire.
- Make sure a smoke alarm or heat alarm is working in the room where it’s charged or stored.
- Don’t charge while you’re asleep or not at home.
- Once the battery is full, disconnect it from the charger.
Only use the charger that’s approved for that battery. Just because a plug fits doesn’t mean it’s compatible.
If a battery is ever smoking or on fire, don’t try to deal with it. Get everyone out and call 000.
4. Put the helmet under the tree too
Your teen will need an approved helmet, and it’s worth buying it at the same time as the bike so it’s never an afterthought. Check what’s accepted in your state, and make sure it fits properly. A helmet that sits too far back or wobbles when they shake their head isn’t doing its job.
5. Agree on the rules before the first ride
A legal e-bike can sit at a higher cruising speed than many teens would hold on a pedal bike, so things happen faster and stopping distances can be longer. That takes some getting used to, even for confident riders.
Before the first ride, agree on where they’ll ride and what you expect. In NSW, riders under 16 can use the footpath unless a sign says otherwise. From 16, they generally can’t. NSW has announced it plans to introduce a minimum riding age, but it isn’t law yet.
Let the first few rides happen somewhere quiet, where they can learn how the bike accelerates and brakes before they head out into holiday traffic.
A gift that comes with a conversation
An e-bike can give a teen real independence, and that’s a lovely thing to give at Christmas. The families who get the most out of it are usually the ones who treat it as the start of a conversation, not just a present. A little checking before you pay goes a long way.
About Author
Mary Payne is a registered nurse and former paramedic, a mum of four boys, and a co-founder of BikeHero, an online e-bike safety course for Australian teens. Parents can check whether their teen’s e-bike is likely to be legal where they ride with BikeHero’s legal checker at https://bikehero.au/legal-checker. No sign-up needed.
