South Australia could face significantly tougher e-bike laws, with the RAA and the Australian Medical Association SA calling for riders to be at least 16 and police to be given greater powers to seize and destroy illegal devices.
The joint safety push comes just days after six teenagers were arrested following alleged reckless e-bike riding across Adelaide, with police saying the group blocked traffic, rode through red lights and was involved in near misses with pedestrians.
Police later examined the six e-bikes and found all had been illegally modified to the point they were classified as motorcycles under South Australian law. Three of the riders were aged 14, two were 15 and one was 16. The bikes were impounded for 28 days.
RAA has now made its submission to the State Government’s review of personal mobility device and e-bike laws, calling for a minimum riding age of 16 for e-bikes to bring the rules into line with e-scooters and other personal mobility devices.
At present, there is no minimum age to ride a compliant e-bike in South Australia, while riders of e-scooters and other PMDs must be at least 16.
RAA also wants SA Police to be given expanded powers to seize, impound and, where appropriate, destroy illegal high-powered devices.
Other recommendations include targeted police blitzes focusing on speeding, helmet use and underage riding, stronger import controls, a widespread public education campaign and drug and alcohol testing powers for e-bike riders.
Under current SA laws, legal e-bikes must be primarily pedal-powered. Electrically power-assisted cycles are limited to 250 watts of continuous motor power, with assistance cutting out once the bike reaches 25km/h. Higher-powered electric bikes, or devices that can operate outside the permitted requirements, cannot legally be ridden on South Australian roads or road-related areas.
RAA research found awareness of the rules remains low, with around eight in 10 road users unaware of existing speed limits and age restrictions.
RAA Senior Manager Road Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said e-bikes and e-scooters had become an important transport option, but stronger safeguards were needed as their popularity grew.
“We’ve seen a growing number of high-powered, modified devices that are essentially unregistered motorcycles, capable of speeds well beyond what’s legal, and they’re becoming more common on our roads, footpaths and shared paths,” Mr Mountain said.
He said setting a minimum age of 16 would recognise the additional power and weight of e-bikes and create consistency with the rules already applying to e-scooters.
AMA SA President Associate Professor Peter Subramaniam backed the proposal, saying doctors were increasingly seeing the consequences of serious crashes.
“E-bikes are not toys. They are typically heavier than regular bicycles and capable of travelling at sustained speeds of 25 km/h – even faster when illegally modified,” Associate Professor Subramaniam said.
“Doctors see the consequences in emergency departments far too often. We treat serious injuries including head trauma, chest and abdominal injuries, and major fractures, many involving riders who are simply too young to safely manage the risks.”
According to SAPOL data cited by RAA, two people have lost their lives and 129 people have been injured in incidents involving e-scooters and e-bikes so far in 2026, up to August 15.
The State Government review began in June and is examining e-bike and PMD rules including minimum ages, speed limits, network access and enforcement. Public consultation closed on August 16, with feedback now set to inform the next stage of the review involving police, medical, road safety and industry representatives.
