Petrol-Powered Bicycle Changes
The Tasmanian Government has recently announced changes to the use of petrol-powered bicycles.
Applications for a permit have now closed.
What is a petrol-powered bicycle?
A petrol-powered bicycle is designed to be pedal-powered, and is fitted with an internal combustion engine (ICE) that uses petrol or diesel fuel.
These bicycles are known as ICE Bicycles.
The engines are usually adapted from other machinery or bought online as conversion kits then added to a regular pedal-powered bicycle not meant to travel at high speeds.
Changes to the use of ICE Bicycles
From 1 July 2024, ICE bicycles will be treated like motorcycles. They must be registered or have a permit to be used on a public street.
The payment for registration or permit includes a premium for MAIB third-party insurance. It covers road users if there is an accident.
There is a transitional period to help owners and users of ICE bicycles to follow the new laws.
Transitional period
Permits - Applications for a permit have now closed.
An ICE bicycle operator may be eligible for a permit which lets them use the vehicle on a public street for up to 12 months.
An operator may apply for this permit between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive.
The permit will be valid for a period of no more than 12 months from the date of issue.
The ICE bicycle's operator may use this time to get the vehicle ready for registration or remove the engine.
When the permit expires, further permits will not be issued and the ICE bicycle may only be used on a public street if it is registered as a motorcycle or if it has no engine fitted.
Please see the ‘Internal Combustion Engine Bicycle Permit Application form’ for information, eligibility and how to apply.
Registration
An ICE bicycle operator can apply to register the vehicle if it meets all the vehicle standards.
Before 1 January 2025, if an ICE bicycle can't be registered, the operator may apply for a permit. The permit gives extra time to bring it up to standard and still use it.
After 31 December 2024, if an ICE bike is not registered or covered by a permit, it may not be used on a public street.
Conversion to a bicycle
An operator of an ICE bicycle may choose to remove the engine from the vehicle.
In this case, you can use the vehicle as a bicycle on a public street without needing registration or a permit.
Why has it changed?
ICE bicycles can travel at high speeds and tend to be dangerous, noisy and a risk to the rider and public amenity.
They are a danger on cycleways and shared paths to other path users who usually travel at much slower speeds.
Are ICE bicycles dangerous?
During the past decade, there were 48 reported ICE bicycle crashes. There may be many more that weren’t reported.
Several of those crashes resulted in serious injuries. Fewer riders use them compared to other vehicles. So, the crash rate of for them is very high compared to other vehicles.
ICE bicycles have a number of safety issues.
- People usually build the engines at home using a lawnmower engine or a cheap conversion kit. The kit may be poor quality and unreliable.
- The bicycles don’t tend to have the braking and handling needed to ride at high speeds, putting riders at greater risk of serious injury.
What about electric-powered bicycles
There are no changes to the current rules for electric bicycles.
What do I need to do?
If you have an ICE bicycle for public streets, you need to do one of the following before 1 January 2025:
- remove the engine from the bicycle, or
- register the vehicle, or
- apply for a permit to use the unregistered ICE bicycle on the road for up to 12 months.
How do I register my ICE bicycle?
You will first need to get your ICE bicycle inspected. The inspection will check that it meets vehicle standards.
If the ICE bicycle passes the inspection, you will need to apply for registration for the vehicle.
You can find more information here.
Do I need a motor cycle licence?
Yes.
You will need a current motor cycle licence to ride an ICE bicycle on a public street.
The driver licence may be a learner licence, a provisional licence or a full licence. More information can be found here.