A major safety scandal has rocked the Australian e-bike industry, with an importer revealing that the difference between a legal and illegal electric bike can be as simple as a fraudulent sticker and a secret code. This alarming practice comes as police issue urgent pre-Christmas warnings to parents and authorities tighten regulations nationwide.
The Sticker and Code Scam Exposed
According to a report by Sunrise, many non-compliant e-bikes flooding the market are simply being slapped with a fake compliance sticker to appear legal. Importers questioned about safety standards have allegedly been instructed to just point to the sticker as proof. Even more concerning, the bikes are reportedly shipped locked to the legal speed limit, but sellers provide special access codes allowing them to be easily hacked to reach dangerous, illegal speeds.
An industry insider tested one such bike and code, managing to unlock the motor to run at 1200 watts. This is nearly five times the legal power limit of 250W in Queensland, effectively turning a supposed pedal-assist bicycle into an unregistered electric motorbike.
Hefty Fines and Tragic Consequences
Queensland Police have been vocal about the dangers. South Brisbane District Inspector Mat Kelly recently urged parents to verify compliance, stating police are seeing too many non-compliant devices on roads and paths. Ignorance is not an excuse when public safety is at risk, he emphasised.
The financial penalties for riders are severe. In Queensland, riding a non-compliant e-bike (deemed an unregistered motorbike) can lead to a cascade of fines:
- $267 for riding an unregistered motorbike.
- $333 for driving an uninsured motor vehicle on a road.
- $556 if the rider lacks a motorcycle licence.
- Additional fines for footpath riding ($100) and no helmet ($500).
This brings the total potential penalties to a staggering $1,756. Similar penalties apply across other Australian states.
However, the ultimate cost is measured in lives. Sunrise reports there have been 41 e-bike deaths in Australia this year alone. In October, eight-year-old Zeke Hondow died from head injuries after a head-on crash with another rider on the Sunshine Coast. Just days later, a 15-year-old boy died after crashing his e-bike in Broadbeach in the early hours of the morning.
A National Call for Vigilance
NSW Police echoed the Christmas warning, telling parents to check the sticker and check the wattage. Authorities stress that having a safety conversation with children is crucial, especially for families who may have already purchased a potentially non-compliant device.
The revelation of this sticker-and-code scam highlights a hidden danger in a rapidly growing market. For parents and riders, the message is clear: compliance checks are essential, as the risks extend far beyond a wallet-draining fine.
