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Motorised foot scooters and motorised bicycles

Motorised foot scooters are a great way to get around and can be fun to ride.

Motorised foot scooters

A motorised foot scooter is a scooter which has an electric motor attached of 200 watts output or less. The manufacturer of the scooter must certify that the power output does not exceed 200 watts, by either attaching a plate to the motor or engraving it.

A motorised foot scooter must not be capable of travelling faster than 10 km/h on level ground.

When using a motorised foot scooter you must wear an approved bicycle helmet securely fitted and fastened.

A motorised foot scooter is a wheeled recreational device. You must comply with the road rules for wheeled recreational devices when using a motorised foot scooter.

Rules for motorised bicycles

A motorised bicycle is a bicycle to which an electric motor is attached. The motor must not be capable of generating more than 200 watts of power. It is illegal to ride a bicycle on roads or road-related areas (such as paths) if the bicycle has an internal combustion engine (for example, a petrol or diesel motor) attached or an electric motor which is capable of generating more than 200 watts.

Motorised bicycles are required to adhere to the same road rules as bicycles and have the same rights and responsibilities. Motorised bicycles are exempt from registration and compulsory third party insurance.

A two-wheeled vehicle with an internal combustion engine, or an electric motor capable of generating over 200 watts, must comply with the Australian Design Rules* requirements for a motorbike if it is to be ridden on roads or road-related areas.

When riding a motorised bicycle you must:

  • wear an approved bicycle helmet securely fitted and fastened.
The motorised bicycle must have:
  • a bell or horn
  • at least one effective brake.
When riding at night you must display:
  • a white light at the front, visible for 200 m
  • a red light at the back, visible for 200 m
  • a red reflector at the back, visible for 50 m.

You can ride a motorised bicycle on all roads and paths, except where bicycles are specifically excluded.

You do not need to have a driver licence to ride a motorised bicycle.

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Last updated: 23 February 2012