NSW (Australia) Government Allows [Non-Converted] E-Bikes on NSW Trains

[Aushiker]

"In good news this week, New South Wales’ government has decided against a broad e-bike ban on public transport, instead opting to ban only converted e-bikes on the NSW rail network. Converted e-bikes are defined as regular pedal bikes that have been fitted with batteries and motors."

Source: Rail Trails Australia
Minister for Transport Media Statement

 

[ausGeoff]

Victoria’s public transport system is close to banning e-scooters
and e-bikes as soon as later this year, citing the potential risk of
fires on board. [Drive, 24 August 2025]

An e-bike fire on a Melbourne train earlier this year caused the
train to be evacuated and the closure of a station on a major
train line.

 

[Chazmo]

Oy. That banning from public transportation is a sad state of affairs.

AUShiker, it’s certainly a weird turn that they’re only banning conversions. Are there some conversion kits that have statistically been more problematical (fire-wise) than just cheapo / crappy ebikes?

 

[Chargeride]

Im not sure if home conversions are any worse than super cheap Aliexpress bikes.
I dont know the stats, but I'll take a good guess that diy builds are far more dodgy that big name brands.

 

[harryS]

If it's safe enough for the guy's office, it's gotta be OK on a train,

 

[Slaphappygamer]

If it's safe enough for the guy's office, it's gotta be OK on a train,

View attachment 200083

Are those SLA batteries? Looks so heavy.

I understand why banning only converted bikes makes sense. They mostly don’t have speed restrictions and higher wattage output.

Still sad to see PEV transport be handcuffed like this.

 

[stompandgo]

"In good news this week, New South Wales’ government has decided against a broad e-bike ban on public transport, instead opting to ban only converted e-bikes on the NSW rail network. Converted e-bikes are defined as regular pedal bikes that have been fitted with batteries and motors."

Source: Rail Trails Australia
Minister for Transport Media Statement

@PedalUma will be moving to Australia shortly.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I live in a beautiful country where any type of a bike (including e-bike) as well as e-scooters are accepted on railways. Transporting e-bikes on regional trains is usually free while the long distance trains require a modest fee.

The name of the country is Poland

 

[harryS]

That train compartment is cleaner than my office,

 

[Chazmo]

I think my ideas of conversions are tainted by the beautiful work that I see @PedalUma and others do here on the site. I do imagine there’s a lot of dangerous junk out there.

@PedalUma will be moving to Australia shortly.

Hehehehe… Exactly.

 

[Chargeride]

I live in a beautiful country where any type of a bike (including e-bike) as well as e-scooters are accepted on railways. Transporting e-bikes on regional trains is usually free while the long distance trains require a modest fee.

The name of the country is Poland

View attachment 200103

So are they chain cleaning pads, or where people sit..or both.

 

[Chargeride]

If it's safe enough for the guy's office, it's gotta be OK on a train,

View attachment 200083

What range do you need?
Yes

 

[PedalUma]

There are a lot of crappy bikes out there. The first image shows not a zip tie, but a garbage tie. There are plenty of internet bikes I will not allow the batteries in my workshop. I refer them elsewhere. I would rather do a home visit to fix their brakes then to have a junk bike in my shop. And I would rather focus on the good stuff, better than the vulgaris from stores.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Yea, not all DIYers build the same.

 

[ausGeoff]

Any/all twin hub drive e-bikes would immediately be impounded
by the cops in Australia. Regardless of the Mickey Mouse jerry rig
on the above monstrosity!

 

[PedalUma]

Here is what an eBike looks like. Zoom the left bar to see the display.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

The same bike, but cleaned up a bit.

I rode this bike with the battery strapped up for science. I needed to be sure that this 52v battery would work better than my 48v battery. Which it did. Now I need to continue mechanical work and save to get a proper battery that will fit in the battery bay of the frame. Definitely not 24v anymore.

 

[PedalUma]

I am called to make a house call to assemble one of these. Note: They only show five-star reviews on the web page that they own, control and edit. I will need a jersey, padded shorts, and to clip in to test ride it.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Heybike ninja!

 

[ausGeoff]

The same bike, but cleaned up a bit.

I rode this bike with the battery strapped up for science. I needed to be sure that this 52v battery would work better than my 48v battery. Which it did. Now I need to continue mechanical work and save to get a proper battery that will fit in the battery bay of the frame. Definitely not 24v anymore.

Is that twin 750W's I see?