Riding Practicalities FAQs
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Where can I ride my ebike?
Road rules around Australia classify a pedal-assisted electric bicycle (“ebike”) as a bicycle, meaning you can ride it anywhere you can ride a conventional bicycle. This includes bicycle lanes and shared paths. Please always be courteous to fellow road users, in particular on shared paths where you have to yield to pedestrians.
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Do I need a license?
No, you don’t need a license to ride an ebike, and you can ride it anywhere where a regular bicycle is allowed.
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Do I need to register my ebike?
No, road rules classify an ebike as a bicycle and therefore no registration is required.
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How could I ride in my work attire?
The great advantage of riding an ebike is that you do not get sweaty, so that’s a big barrier tackled straightaway. If you want to learn from an expert, Sydney blogger Velo-á-porter has good some great tips on riding in heels or with a skirt and when it’s very hot. At E-stralian, we’ve been riding bicycles wearing whatever we happen to be wearing for a long time, so if you want to learn more, please get in contact.
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How do I lock up my ebike?
It’s important to lock your bike to an immovable object using a high-quality lock. E-stralian will you supply you with a lock that is approved and tested by insurers and lock rating agencies around the world. Kryptonite has some great videos on how to lock your bike securely.
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I have not ridden a bike in years and do not feel confident yet, but I am interested in your concept. Can I still try it?
Absolutely, and we love to help you build that confidence. Our packages come with a free bike skills refresher course led by certified bike skills instructors. We can also point you to additional training opportunities if you seek some more practice before you hit the road. Our co-founder Thijs is a certified bike instructor, and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have so please use the contact page to contact him directly.
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I currently drive to work and there is no way I would ride on the roads I’m using now. How would I get to work on an ebike?
Most often you will not need to ride on those busy, major roads, but can find quiet back streets and shared paths that are much more enjoyable to ride. As part of our package, we’ll help you figure out a suitable route between home and work, because we understand it’s much more energizing and comfortable to ride through parks or explore local neighbourhoods on your way to work than it is to be moving along with multiple lanes of traffic.
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Are there any special rules for bicycles?
Most traffic rules for cars also apply to bicycles, but every state has a few rules that apply specifically to bicycles. You can find more information on those rules on the website of your state transport department or roads authority. We will talk you through those specific rules during our bike skills refresher course that comes with our packages to make sure you hit the road with knowledge and confidence!
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How do I plan routes for my ebike?
Google maps is a good start, but you really want to check the route in detail before riding it because often there are better alternatives, using quieter streets or shared paths. The Travel Smart maps are great sources as well, available for many councils in Victoria and also some in other states.