Electric Bike ‘Allowable Power Output’ Increased To 250 Watts
After years of agitation for an increase in the power output for electric bikes, the Retail Cycle Traders Association RCTA has informed us that the Federal Government has just announced such changes, paving the way for a new range of electric bikes to be imported into Australia.
Changes To The National Vehicle Safety Standards
Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, announced today that changes will allow for greater consumer choice while at the same time maintaining safety.
What The Changes Will Mean
Changes to the standard mean that the allowable power output will increase from 200 to 250 watts giving a higher level of performance, while maintaining safety by restricting powered speed to 25 km/h.
Riders will be required to pedal to access the power or to reach greater speeds than 25 km/h.
The change will also mean new construction standards for batteries, cables and connections as well as other requirements such as braking performance and the strength of frames.
Catherine observed that:
“There is an increasing desire within the community for modern designs of power-assisted pedal cycles. This change in the Australian Design Rules will encourage modern electric bicycles as a healthy alternative to other means of transport..
With the National Cycling Strategy 2011-16 aiming to double the number of people riding by 2016, the Government is keen to work with the cycling community to implement reforms that promote healthy lifestyles.
In addition, existing designs of machines will continue to be allowed.
It’s important that this continues to be a national process that is supported by all governments.”
In Conclusion
Catherine says the changes are an important first step towards an overall review by Austroads of alternative vehicles, which will also include mobility scooters. State and Territory authorities have worked constructively with the Commonwealth on the change.
The action was identified in Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy 2011-20.
Contact Local Road Authorities
Changes to state and territory road rules may be necessary to allow use of the new electric bicycles. People should contact their state road authorities to confirm local provisions.
The standard that has now been adopted is EN 15194.
For More Info
For clarification you can contact Elaena Gardner, Australian Bicycle Council, Telephone: 02 9283 3389, Mobile: 0402 253 915, email
egardner@austroads.com.au
OR
(in the next few days) visit
www.austroads.com.au/abc/
www.CyclingResourceCentre.org.au
Finally
2 Comments
I am pleased that the power rating has been increased to 250W but disappointed that the limit is 25km/hr, it should be at least 30km/hr as the difference in speed between vehicles and cars is still too great and modern bicycle brakes can cope with these speeds.
Also before my accident [ hit by a car who failed to give way ] I could average 25km/hr, that is on the flats I was doing over 30km/hr and the hills about 10~15km/hr. Both these figures are with panniers on with ~20kg of load. I am being forced to slow down due to others incompetence.
Re.electric bike power limit increase from 200 to 250 Watt. I think it is of no help to the problem of getting up steeper hills,which is the real reason for the need for more power. At best, we are following the regulations adopted in Europe.
A WARNING to buyers of the ASEAKO electric bike. Aseako claim they supply a road legal motor capable of 109Nm power output. Most modern 250 Watt motors have a maximum of about 50Nm. Buyers should road test this motor and also be quite sure it is NOT MORE THAN 250watt. I requested information about the Currect drawn when under full load, but ASEAKO would not supply this information. It is a simple fact that increased torque requires the supply of proportionally more current draw from the battery. If you double the power output, then you must double the current drawn for a particular speed.The problem then is; how many Km can you travel if you double the current drawn from the battery ? Aseako should provide Power/Current graphs.