QLD update

Since 31 August 2026, Queensland E-Bike riders must be 16 or older and hold at least a learner licence. From 28 February 2027, E-Bikes in Queensland need an EN 15194 label or approval under the state's new assurance scheme.

QLD rules →

E-Bike compliance

What makes an E‑Bike road legal?

In Australia, an E-Bike's legality comes down to how the whole bike behaves on the road, not the number printed on the motor. Road-legal E-Bikes are called EPACs. Here's what the rules say, what changed in 2026 and how our E-Bikes are set up.

  • 250W

    Continuous power

    The most power the motor can sustain. Short bursts above it are normal.

  • 25km/h

    Assist cut-off

    The motor stops helping at 25 km/h. Anything faster is all you, just like a normal bike!

  • 6km/h

    Throttle limit

    Throttle or walk assist alone only takes you to 6 km/h. Above that, you pedal.

  • EPAC

    The legal category

    Short for Electrically Power Assisted Cycle, the EN 15194 category Australia uses to define a road-legal E-Bike. It's shown on the compliance label on the frame.

Our range

Where our E‑Bikes sit

Every Thor is built around the EPAC limits. Here's how each range is set up.

EPAC

Fat tyre E‑Bikes

Pulse RSE, Pulse EB8 Step-Thru, Thunder V20 Pro, Thunder V29 Dual-Battery

Built as EPACs: 250W continuous power, pedal assist that cuts out at 25 km/h and walk assist to 6 km/h. That means they're treated as bicycles, so you can ride them on roads and paths under your state's riding rules.

Shop fat tyre
EPAC out of the box

Utility E‑Bikes

Dash RS Mini, Dash RS Plus, Atlas Ultra, Convoy M2

They leave us as EPACs, but some can be unlocked for more speed and some models come with more powerful motors.

Unlocked, or with a motor over 250W continuous, a utility E-Bike is no longer an EPAC and can only be ridden on private property.

Shop utility

Continuous vs peak

Peaks are normal. Sustained power is what counts.

EN 15194 caps an EPAC's continuous rated power at 250W: the output the motor can sustain over time. Pulling away from a standstill, climbing a hill or pushing into a headwind can briefly draw more than that, and that's expected.

What matters is that the system settles back to 250W or less for normal riding. That's why a motor's peak rating on its own doesn't tell you whether a bike is legal.

Motor power over a ride Power briefly rises above 250 watts on take-off, a hill climb and a headwind, then settles below the 250 watt continuous limit for sustained riding. 500W 250W 0W 250W CONTINUOUS LIMIT Sustained output: what's measured Take-off brief peak Hill climb brief peak Headwind brief peak Time riding → 500W 250W 0W 250W LIMIT Sustained output: what's measured Take-off Hill climb Headwind Time riding →
Illustration only. Short bursts above 250W on take-off and climbs are normal. Sustained output must sit at or below 250W.

State by state

The rules where you ride

The 250W, 25 km/h EPAC definition (EN 15194) now applies across Australia, but each state and territory sets its own riding rules: where you can ride, age limits, helmets and fines. Tap your state for the key points and a link to the official rules.

Last checked 30 September 2026. Rules change, so always check the official source before you ride.

QLD QueenslandChanged 2026
  • Since 31 August 2026, riders must be 16 or older and hold at least a learner licence (Queensland, interstate or overseas). Some supervised and medical exceptions apply.
  • From 28 February 2027, E-Bikes need an EN 15194 label, or approval under Queensland's new assurance scheme for bikes that meet the core limits but weren't certified.
  • 12 km/h limit on footpaths, and when passing pedestrians on shared paths.
  • Approved helmet required.
QLD rules →
NSW New South WalesChanging to 2029
  • NSW brought back the EN 15194 standard in March 2026, lining up with the rest of Australia at 250W.
  • E-Bikes rated between 250W and 500W can still be ridden during a transition period. From 1 March 2029, only EN 15194 E-Bikes will be legal on NSW roads and paths.
  • Police can seize and destroy illegal E-Bikes over 500W, and a minimum riding age is under review.
  • Approved helmet required.
NSW rules →
VIC Victoria
  • Recognises EN 15194 E-Bikes: 250W continuous, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h.
  • Converted E-Bikes (bikes fitted with an aftermarket motor) aren't allowed on metro or regional trains, and you can't charge or ride an E-Bike on public transport.
  • Approved helmet required.
VIC rules →
SA South Australia
  • Recognises EN 15194 E-Bikes: 250W continuous, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h.
  • Check the SA road rules for footpath riding, helmets and age requirements.
SA rules →
WA Western Australia
  • Recognises EN 15194 E-Bikes: 250W continuous, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h.
  • Check the WA road rules for footpath riding, helmets and age requirements.
WA rules →
TAS Tasmania
  • Recognises EN 15194 E-Bikes: 250W continuous, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h.
  • Check the Tasmanian road rules for footpath riding, helmets and age requirements.
TAS rules →
ACT Australian Capital Territory
  • Recognises EN 15194 E-Bikes: 250W continuous, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h.
  • Check the ACT road rules for footpath riding, helmets and age requirements.
NT Northern Territory
  • Recognises EN 15194 E-Bikes: 250W continuous, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h.
  • Check the NT road rules for footpath riding, helmets and age requirements.

Common questions

What is an EPAC?

EPAC stands for Electrically Power Assisted Cycle. It's the category set by the European standard EN 15194, and it's what Australia uses to define a road-legal E-Bike: up to 250W continuous power, assistance only while you pedal and cutting out at 25 km/h, and throttle or walk assist limited to 6 km/h. Our fat tyre E-Bikes are certified to EN 15194 as EPACs.

Are the battery and electrics safety certified?

Yes. Every Thor E-Bike's electrical system, including the motor, battery, controller and wiring, is certified to UL 2849, the safety standard for E-Bike electrical systems. The lithium battery pack is also certified to UL 2271, the safety standard for light electric vehicle battery packs.

My motor is rated above 250W at peak. Is it still legal?

Peak figures describe short bursts, like pulling away or climbing. The legal limit is on continuous rated power, which must be 250W or less under EN 15194. The graph above shows how the two differ.

Can I ride on the throttle alone?

Under EN 15194, a throttle or walk-assist button can only power the bike up to 6 km/h without pedalling. Above that, the motor only helps while you're pedalling, up to 25 km/h.

Can I unlock more speed or power?

Changing an E-Bike's settings, firmware or parts so it goes past 250W or 25 km/h means it's no longer a legal E-Bike on public roads and paths. EN 15194 includes anti-tampering requirements for this reason, and some states now test and seize modified bikes. Some of our utility models can be unlocked: once unlocked, ride them on private property only.

Do I need registration or a licence?

A compliant E-Bike is treated as a bicycle, so it doesn't need registration. Queensland is the exception on licences: since 31 August 2026, riders there must be 16 or older and hold at least a learner licence.

Can I carry a passenger?

Yes, on our fat tyre E-Bikes built with a passenger seat: the Pulse RSE, Thunder V20 Pro and Thunder V29 Dual-Battery. The Pulse EB8 Step-Thru is for one rider only.

In Australia you can only carry a passenger on a bike designed for it. You both need an approved helmet, and you should stay within the bike's maximum load.

Do I need a helmet?

Yes. You need an approved bicycle helmet in almost every situation in Australia, and fines apply. Check your state's rules above for the details.

The rules keep changing. How do I stay up to date?

Your state or territory transport authority has the final word, and we've linked each one above. We keep this page updated as the rules change, and you can always contact us if you're not sure about your bike.

General information only. This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Road rules differ between states and territories and can change, so check with your local transport authority before you ride.