Melbourne Police Target Illegal E-Bikes in Safety Crackdown

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Victoria Police has launched a new road enforcement campaign, Operation Consider, aimed at curbing the rising number of e-bike-related incidents across Melbourne.

The initiative, beginning this week, will involve officers from the State Highway Patrol, Solo Unit, and North West Metro Bike Patrol. They’ll be patrolling Melbourne’s CBD on bicycles, motorcycles, foot, and highway patrol vehicles to ensure compliance among e-bike riders.

This comes as police data reveals a sharp rise in e-bike collisions in recent years. In 2023, there were 79 recorded incidents, jumping to 144 in 2024. As of 30 July 2025, at least 113 incidents have already been recorded.

Under Australian law, there are two types of legal e-bikes:

• Electrically Powered Assisted Cycles (EPACs) with motors up to 250 watts, limited to 25km/h and requiring pedalling.
  
• Power-Assisted Bicycles, capped at 200 watts, that use throttle-based power.
  

Any e-bike exceeding these specifications is considered overpowered and classified as a motorcycle, making it subject to registration, licensing, and other road regulations.

Police are reminding riders that using a non-compliant e-bike could result in fines, including a $1,018 penalty for riding an unregistered vehicle.

Operation Consider will also focus on other cycling-related offences such as:

• Using a mobile phone while riding – $611 fine
  
• Disobeying traffic lights – $509
  
• Not wearing a helmet – $254
  
• Lacking proper bike lights – $254
  
• Failing to use bike lanes – $204
  
• Speeding penalties ranging from $254 to $1,018 and potential vehicle impoundment
  

Speed detection devices will also be used to monitor rider compliance.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir emphasised the importance of rider awareness:

“The increase in e-bike usage has unfortunately come with a rise in road trauma. Many of the bikes involved are either overpowered or being used illegally. Riders need to ensure their bikes meet legal standards and that they obey the rules of the road.”

He added that while police will prioritise education, enforcement will be swift where public safety is compromised.

Operation Consider will continue over the coming months as part of a broader effort to reduce road accidents across the state.

For more road safety information, visit the Victoria Police website.