Aussie 200 Watt Limit Thread

[Samd]

Okay. But can we go back to talking about the postie chick now?

What was it again that we were discussing before that?

[Hyena]

Hyena, is that your postie?
I'm jealous.

Sadly not, just a picture I found online. When my postie arrives with a hub motor it's being delivered to me, not on his own bike

Good to see her wearing the safety gear. I wonder if Australia Post endorses a heavy tan as adequate crash protection for your arms and legs

[Samd]

You spend time online looking for pictures of semi dressed women on ebikes? Now that's a niche market! Nice one!

[jateureka]

.

[jateureka]

Meh. Prob forgot to charge the battery.

Was it a lime green with a front MAC?

They are actually Bafang BPM motors

[Hyena]

You spend time online looking for pictures of semi dressed women on ebikes? Now that's a niche market! Nice one!

haha I happened across that while looking at another EV site, I promise

They are actually Bafang BPM motors

Yeah the above pic looks like a BPM but I've seen them with other motors to, most I've come across have what looks like an old WE BD36

[Ecommuter]

You will need the ebikers to unite in Europe and make a fuss over the ticy tac rubbish they are legislating for.Do they set speed limiters on cars, buses or motorbikes?The only major vehicles in Australia they speed regulate is semitrailers over a prescribed weight.I think my ebike is how many tonnes shy of a semitrailer? Just increase the penalties,leave the current 200w limit in place.Set speed limits along shared cycle paths to 25kms for ebikes.How could anyone consider an ebike in Australia in the future with those idiotic restrictions? Twist and go? Pedalex sounds like a friggin disease, Give me break!

[Sunder]

I can't tell if you're serious or not, but the fines for riding a non compliant ebike is up to 9 demerit points (3/4 of your licence if you're a full driver, or instant loss of licence for everyone else) and up to $7700 if it goes to court. That's assuming nobosy is hurt. How much harsher do you want the penalty?

I think the way it's done is fine at the moment - low limits, harsh potential penalties for idiots and turn a blind eye to anyone not acting stupidly.

[Ecommuter]

Thank you for your reply. Look Ive cooled down since my last message.They keep squeezing and squeezing till it hurts.I think you're right the laws are sufficient,its the 1 percentas that create mischief and politicians that feel we have to copy everything that goes on the other side of the planet.Leave it as it is.I think if anyone in Australia thinks we'd ever get a higher wattage than 200w with no strings attached is dreaming.I think they should give us the 200W but as the higher voltage rating and 30km/HR cutout a far better compromise. Its time we as a country have a say how things are done here not how they're done in Paris.

[Architectonic]

@hyena. This new definition runs in parallel with the old. So it doesn't affect any current bikes, just allows the euro EN15194 bikes to be used in Oz.

Except that some cops are going to learn about the 25km/h assistance cutoff and assume it applies to all ebikes. I am worried about this...

I've had no problems so far with cops when faux pedalling at 40km/h, (I'm not proud of it, but I've been pulled over twice in 2500 km, once my rear light had fallen off (warning), other other I was accused of going though a red light (it was close, but I didn't and I wasn't fined)). Only one of them asked whether it was electric and that was the end of the questioning. I was also wearing a dirtbike helmet and I suspect that attracts attention.

[Miles]

Do they set speed limiters on cars, buses or motorbikes?

Well, there are prescribed speed limits for the categories of moped....

[Ecommuter]

If the Australian government is adopting the new EURO standards and you reckon it will allow the pedalxs (sic) to be sold here they will still not be allowed to be ridden on the road as there is a 200w limit in place.I strongly suggest to all e bikers in Australia to make submissions to their local MPs to allow a 2 tiered system ,that is all ebikes 200w and under will not require a 25km/hr motor cut off and those above will require new adopted standard.What do you reckon guys?

[adrian_sm]

No need to lobby, that is what is already happening. The change is to introduce an alternative definition. Meaning you can have a bike fall under the old or new definition.

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2012L ... ement/Text

This amendment adds an alternative ADR definition of a Power-Assisted Pedal Cycle (AB Category) to include vehicles meeting European Committee for Standardization EN 15194:2009 or EN 15194:2009+A1:2011 Cycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC Bicycles. These vehicles are now defined within the ADR as ‘Pedalecs’.

[EDIT. Fixed typo]

[schmidty_81]

I think if we're going to lobby we should try and get the US or Canadian laws to apply here too.

They seem to have some really good e-bikes over there, and I would have thought their population spread is closer aligned to ours, for the most part our cities and definitely regional towns aren't very densely populated the same as the US and Canada. Which is another reason why I'd really query the logic behind a 25kmph limit.

The other added bonus is then it would be way to complicated for your average law enforcement officer to nab you.

[Scruffoid]

I have many many times driven past the police doing 10Km over the posted speed limit and never been pulled over by them. I have been pulled over a lot of times for being stupid thou. LOL i was pulled over for going around a corner to fast on one trip home thou. Cops had guns drawn and everything. Said i looked like i was driving a stolen car. I just said what i didnt realise there was a speed limit for going around a corner as long as i wasnt going over 60 and didnt lose control of my car. Of course they checked my licence and sent me on my way gotta respect that i might have been a car theif so no problems with that LOL

Same goes in all these things. Do the right thing or at least look like you are doing the right thing. Where your safety gear. obey the road rules etc etc.

I commute down the M5 here in sydney and every day go through speed traps and get past by police. I was past by a highway patrol today and i was sitting on 50km/hr, but i was still mock pedalling as i always do and nothing was said to me. Be an idiot and weave in and out of traffic, run red lights, etc etc and you they will throw the book at you. And It was PISSING down rain today as well That sucked!!!!!!!!!!!

They arent picking on ebikers at all they just enforce the laws in general. look like you are obeying them and they dont bother you.

On another note!

The girl on the postie bike looks to be wearing full leather shoes with no socks. And riding around all day. Oh my god it would be worse than my sons feet i bet!

[Hobbit]

...the fines for riding a non compliant ebike is up to 9 demerit points (3/4 of your licence if you're a full driver, or instant loss of licence for everyone else) and up to $7700 if it goes to court......

OMG, I WAS a liitle bit scared about that aspect of all this stuff, NOW i need to go change my shorts.

I think the way it's done is fine at the moment - low limits, harsh potential penalties for idiots and turn a blind eye to anyone not acting stupidly.

Yeah, that's it I guess, seems the government just makes everything illegal and its up the officer's discression on enforcement. Things like playing your car stereo too loud, revving your cars engine unneccesarily, skwealing of tyres, blah,blah, it's all geared towards letting the police do whatever the hell they want if something doesn't look right in order to keep the peace. Through our own lack of action we've essentially condoned the creation of an army of standover men in blue suits with guns and tasers and handcuffs...if they're having a bad day, we're going DOWN!!....look like you're legit and it's "have a nice day.".....ok, my rant alarm is going berserk here so bye....and do the right thing OR ELSE!

[sn0wchyld]

...the fines for riding a non compliant ebike is up to 9 demerit points (3/4 of your licence if you're a full driver, or instant loss of licence for everyone else) and up to $7700 if it goes to court......

OMG, I WAS a liitle bit scared about that aspect of all this stuff, NOW i need to go change my shorts.

I think the way it's done is fine at the moment - low limits, harsh potential penalties for idiots and turn a blind eye to anyone not acting stupidly.

Yeah, that's it I guess, seems the government just makes everything illegal and its up the officer's discression on enforcement. Things like playing your car stereo too loud, revving your cars engine unneccesarily, skwealing of tyres, blah,blah, it's all geared towards letting the police do whatever the hell they want if something doesn't look right in order to keep the peace. Through our own lack of action we've essentially condoned the creation of an army of standover men in blue suits with guns and tasers and handcuffs...if they're having a bad day, we're going DOWN!!....look like you're legit and it's "have a nice day.".....ok, my rant alarm is going berserk here so bye....and do the right thing OR ELSE!

+1 I cant believe how much stuff is actually illegal in aus. you know crossing the street at anywhere other than a ped. crossing should attract a $350 fine? . Atleast it seems that most cops do use some discretion, you just have to hope you dont catch 'em on a bad day.

its one area where I think the usa (and the uk to some extent) has done notably better than aus... laws that give the average joe some protection against shitty cops (or ones just having a bad day) ie you're allowed to film public officials in public (keeps em honest), your not required to id yourself unless your suspected of committing or about to commit a crime (or driving a car) (maintains your privacy), cops cant come on your property without your permission/or a warrant... the list goes on.
anyway I'm not gonna say more or ill start getting really pissed off. rant over. damit, i think i said that earlier in this thread

[heathyoung]

Where did you get the info on non-compliant bikes?

They have always been treated the same as you would be on a motorcycle - you get hit for uninsured, unlicenced and unregistered, a $900 all up in court.

Otherwise, why bother with the ebike, just get a motorbike and do the same thing - its cheaper (in fines) and more likely to kill someone.

[Sunder]

Where did you get the info on non-compliant bikes?

They have always been treated the same as you would be on a motorcycle - you get hit for uninsured, unlicenced and unregistered, a $900 all up in court.

Otherwise, why bother with the ebike, just get a motorbike and do the same thing - its cheaper (in fines) and more likely to kill someone.

"Driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle is an offence attracting infringement notice fines of at least $1060 ($530 for unregistered and $530 for uninsured). If the matter goes to court, the maximum fine is $2200 for unregistered and $5500 for uninsured. The penalties for heavy vehicle offences are higher and may also attract demerit points. See unregistered vehicle penalties for more information."

(From http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/ ... index.html)

I made a mistake about the licence though. It appears you only get demerits if it's a heavy vehicle.

[heathyoung]

Rotten buggers - its gone up since I last checked - they would hit you for unlicenced as well.

[Hyena]

I think it would really depend on the cop and what you were doing at the time. There was a local case a while back where a guy got done on a petrol bike (I think i posted about it here already) but he tried to run from the cops, had drugs on him and had no chain. So their arguement was that it was a motor bike as there was no means for him to pedal even if he wanted to.

My missus has forbidden me to get a motorbike but I've been thinking about getting a motorbike license anyway. Sounds like it'd quickly pay for itself and offset any potential fines if the cops do get nasty! Not for me though, I only ever ride at 200w on the street!

Rotten buggers - its gone up since I last checked

Yeah, and when did the RTA become the "roads and maritime service" ?!

[AussieJester]

I've been thinking about getting a motorbike license anyway. Sounds like it'd quickly pay for itself and offset any potential fines if the cops do get nasty! Not for me though, I only ever ride at 200w on the street!
!

I think its non issue myself Jay, you would likely get done still for riding unlicensed unregistered
vehicle. After my recent trip to Bali and hooning on gas scooter around Kuta i have been seriously
considering getting a 50cc scooter preferably with wrecked engine and whacking an etek or two in it ;-P

I actually rang the fines section of the police yesterday as the girlfriend has asked me to get my license
back so i can Chauffeur about come September when she has been scheduled for shoulder surgery
as a result unable to drive for a fornight, anyhoot...thought i had outstanding fines turns out they are written off after 10 years
so i will be heading in asap to get a learners permit happening!

KiM

[schmidty_81]

Let's not forget about this bloke...

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-ot ... 6116160757

[Sunder]

Let's not forget about this bloke...

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-ot ... 6116160757

Yeah, I think that qualifies for being an idiot.

[Scruffoid]

LOL that is cool. 99.9% of the time you wouldnt get in truble just really bad luck that the cops where there at the wrong time.

Didnt help his cause that he was drunk. I would suggest if he was sober he would've been told to stop being a dick and get it off the road.