At Electric Bikes Brisbane, we often get asked: “What’s the real difference between an ebike and other electric vehicles?”
There’s a lot of confusion in the community, so we sat down with our own Nick Willis to clear things up. Here’s a lightly edited transcript from a recent conversation—let’s dive in!
Simple definition of an ebike
Q: Nick, what’s the simplest way to define what an ebike actually is so people can really understand the difference?
Nick:
“I think the easiest way to look at it is, let’s start with the bicycle. A bicycle has pedals. It needs those pedals to move. So if an "ebike’" doesn’t have pedals, then clearly it’s not an ebike, it’s a motorbike.
The second thing is there are some two-wheel vehicles out there, they do have pedals, but the rider can just use a throttle, so they can just wind on a throttle and that gives them power. Again, that’s not an ebike, that’s just a motorbike with pedals.
So to me, if you’re not pedalling, it’s not an ebike. If it doesn’t have pedals, it’s not an ebike.”
Q: There’s a lot of confusion, and people tend to lump all these different vehicles together. Why is that a problem, and why do we need clear definitions?
Nick:
“I think we need to look at the bigger picture. So overall, e-mobility, whatever you want to call it, it’s a good thing for people.
What has happened is that there have been some grey areas in the legislation and some retailers, importers, consumers have used that grey area to basically get themselves an electric motorbike without paying registration, without being insured.
And then because of that, that allows them to exhibit the behaviour we’re seeing on the news—wheeling down a highway, frightening people on sort of shared footpaths, on beachfronts, etc. So I think it’s really important just to go back to the legislation that we have.
There are clear road rules around what defines a motorcycle and they exist and they can be enforced. I think longer term there probably is something that needs to happen in between a full motorcycle and a pedal assist ebike.”
Q: Let’s talk about the analogy we discussed earlier about dangerous dogs. Can you explain how that fits in with ebikes and why we need to avoid overreacting?
Nick:
“Yeah, look, I think it’s really important. I mean, look, it’s no secret we’re dog lovers at EBB. I’ve had dogs all my life. There was a phase where there was a lot of "dangerous" breeds out there. That got the headlines. And there were some very horrifying stories that happened. But we didn’t just say, ‘Hey, this is a bad incident, let’s just ban all dogs,’ because that’s not great for society.
And the same way with ebikes, if we’re clear around the definition, there are street-legal, safe, healthy ebikes that have been designed and engineered to be safe. They go up to 25km an hour.
There are millions and millions of people using those every day to get to work, to get to school, to get exercise, to get out and explore. It’s good for their health, it’s good for their mental health, and they’re just a bike with a little bit of extra help.
So we just really need to be clear on what is a "dangerous" ebike or motorbike. And then let’s focus on the positives around ebikes and what they bring to society and how they are a really important part of our future.”
Q: You mentioned a French example with mopeds for 14 year olds and a tiered licensing system. Can you explain how they handled it and what we might learn from that here?
Nick:
“Yeah, so I guess showing my age a little bit here! Many years ago in the 70s and 80s, the French had a standard. They had the Solex mopeds and the Peugeot 103, which is basically a moped with pedals. It had a 49cc petrol motor. You could pedal it as well if you needed to, if you ran out of fuel. But the key thing was if you were 14, you could do some formal training. You then got a licence and these things were registered and insured.
What they did do, which was fantastic though, was it gave people access to a vehicle with training. They weren’t overpowered. So it kind of filled a gap in between a full car or full motorcycle.
But recognising that young people still want to get around. Now that’s since evolved in Europe. And they do have their S standard for pedal assist bikes which is 45 kilometres an hour. They’re subject to more safety standards, stronger brakes, wheels, lighting etc. And they do have a registration plate so they are registered to a user. So users obey the road rules and ride in a considerate manner.
So I think there could be a middle ground between a full on electric motorbike which goes 70km an hour and recognising the need for young people to get around but in a safe and not over regulated way.
And with the registration and insurance and with some good training, I mean that’s key, you know. You can’t go on the street with no training, no road rules, no awareness about traffic conditions etc.”
Q: So to wrap things up, what’s the big takeaway for the community?
Nick:
“I think the key takeaway is that with a little common sense and some thoughtful regulation, we can let people enjoy the benefits of ebikes responsibly without overreacting.”
Got more questions or want to chat about what’s right for you?
We’re always happy to help—whether you’re new to ebikes or want to talk through the latest tech and regulations. Give us a call, drop in to the store, or connect online.
As Nick says: “If you are still confused or you have concerns, just get in touch. We’ve got a phone number on the website and we’ve got a chat system with real people who are happy to help.
All the bikes we sell are legal. If you want some help choosing the right option we have an EBikefinder tool you can use, a quick quiz.”
Further Reading: Are ebikes legal? An overview of law on electric bikes
;**About the Author:** Nick Willis is a lifelong cyclist whose passion for bikes has taken him around the world—racing, exploring, and tackling legendary trails. Nick’s favourite place to ride is Whistler, where he logged countless runs down “Original Sin” before YouTube was even a thing. He’s completed rides as long as 220km (yes, it’s on Strava), but says his best day ever on a bike was riding the iconic Whole Enchilada in Moab. Nick’s all-time favourite bike is the Kona Kilauea—a classic hardtail that’s still close to his heart. He earned his first money on a bike as a paperboy, met his wife Sam through cycling, and—after a successful career as a CEO—left the corporate world behind 13 years ago to help others discover the freedom and fun of ebikes. Nick’s experience, integrity, and deep love for the ride are at the heart of Electric Bikes Brisbane.
