VACC disheartened by Victorian Government e-Bike Safety Rejection.
8 December 2025
Melbourne - The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has criticised the State Government's decision to reject a coroner's recommendation for e-bike registration following a fatal incident, warning that Victoria has missed an opportunity to lead the nation on road safety.
In July 2025, Coroner Audrey Jamieson recommended the government consider "methods to identify non-compliant e-bicycles, including those which may seem radical – such as requiring the registration of all e-bicycles" following her investigation into the death of Nitin Haldipur Prabhu, who was riding a non-compliant e-bike.
However, in formal responses to the Coroner's Court, both Victoria Police and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) rejected the implementation of an e-bike registration scheme.
DTP Acting Executive Director Fiona Green stated that registration "is not being actively considered at this time" because it "would be costly and may be a major disincentive to riding, consequently discouraging active transport."
VACC CEO Peter Jones said the decision represented a concerning reluctance to act on a coroner's safety recommendation.
"A coroner made this recommendation following a death. The government has rejected it. We believe that's a tragic missed opportunity to prevent future deaths," Mr Jones said.
"The government says this is 'too hard and too costly.' That's not good enough when lives are at stake."
Significantly, both agencies acknowledged the core enforcement problem. Victoria Police's response stated that "identification remains a barrier" and that "it is difficult for general duties and other frontline police members to detect non-compliant e-bicycles."
While Victoria Police noted they can detect some violations, such as e-bikes travelling over 25km/h, they confirmed that non-compliant e-bikes are legally "required to be registered as motor vehicles" but acknowledged there is no practical system to enforce this requirement.
"Both Victoria Police and the Transport Department acknowledge identification is the key problem, but they've rejected the solution that would fix it," Mr Jones said.
"Victoria Police say 'identification remains a barrier' – registration would remove that barrier."
VACC is particularly focused on the safety risks posed by commercial e-bike fleets operating in Melbourne, many of which exceed the legal limits of 250 watts and 25 km/h, rendering them technically motor vehicles.
"This isn't about recreational riders or discouraging active transport – it's about commercial delivery operations using vehicles that operate like motorcycles," Mr Jones said.
The Chamber also highlighted the consumer protection issue revealed in the case. DTP's response acknowledged that Mr Prabhu "apparently did not know that he had purchased a non-compliant e-bicycle, which demonstrates the need to ensure safe devices are being sold to consumers."
"Even the government admits Mr Prabhu didn't know his e-bike was illegal. Registration would protect consumers and enable enforcement," Mr Jones said.
Ms Green cited that registration is not used by any Australian state or territory, nor by most international jurisdictions. However, VACC argues Victoria should not wait for other states to act first.
"Victoria has always led the nation on road safety initiatives. We shouldn't be waiting for other states when we have a clear recommendation from a coroner," Mr Jones said.
While acknowledging the government's intention to pursue better national standards through engagement with the Commonwealth Government, VACC believes Victoria should implement state-based registration for commercial e-bikes immediately rather than waiting for potentially lengthy national reforms.
The Chamber's research partnership with Monash University recently documented the scope of non-compliant e-bike use in Melbourne's CBD.
The study found that Only 4% of delivery E-bikes were observed pedalling – suggesting many are throttle-powered or modified beyond legal specifications.
Speeds up to 54 km/h were recorded, with almost one in five exceeding 25 km/h; at some sites this rose to one in three.
VACC continues to advocate for targeted registration of commercial e-bikes, mandatory safety checks, and more substantial penalties for operators using non-compliant vehicles in commercial operations.
END
Media contact:
Andrew Molloy
Manager Marketing, Media, Communications & Publications
P. 03 9829 1248 | M. 0457 188 375 | E. [email protected] | W. vacc.com.au
Karla Leach
Executive Manager, Marketing and Communications
P. 03 9829 1247 | M. 0429 334 832 | E. [email protected] | W. vacc.com.au
About VACC
Founded in 1918, the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) represents over 5000 businesses in Victoria and Tasmania who employ more than 50,000 people. Member businesses range from new and used vehicle dealers, repairers, vehicle servicing, parts and component wholesale/retail and distribution and aftermarket manufacture, tyre dealers and automotive dismantlers and recyclers.
VACC develops the future workforce, employing 560 apprentices and trainees through its group apprenticeship scheme, and maintains memberships with the Motor Trades Association of Australia and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and contributes to the national policy debate through these leading industry associations.