Thread: Motorising A Push Bike

showing my age but many many eons ago I had, I think a Vesper Solex. Anyway had a small motor that sat behind the bike seat and by force pushed the rear wheel.

Originally Posted by smidsy

I live in a small country town where something like a scooter would be ideal for running to the shops - about 1.5k's each way.
Electric scooters and e-bikes blast around with no license or rego, but it would seem impunity.
Does anyone know what the legalities are in Queensland of putting a petrol motor (80 or 100cc) on a push bike - licensing I'm not worried about as I have a motorbike license.

Smidsy

This might help you.

Motorised bicycles and the law in Qld - Gold Coast (mypolice.qld.gov.au)

There is a distinction between electric power and ICE power attached to a bicycle. The latter becomes a motorcycle. You would need registration and if fitted after market an engineering certificate. For the former, in QLD, you only need a helmet such as you would use on a pushbike.

Regards
Paul

Edit: More info here:

Bicycle road rules and safety | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Have you considered an e-bike or a conversion kit for yours? I electrified my very large cargo bike 10 or so years ago and it has been faultless since. Haven't kept up with latest trends but there are many out there. I would recommend a mid-drive unit. Safer than a front wheel motor which mine is, and you get the advantage of power going through the gearing. Not that I have ever struggled on any hill around me with the front wheel drive, quite the contrary, it is a little hot.

The issue with putting a decent sized motor of anything is to do with safety or the perceived safety of the vehicle. Ie is everything spec'ed to work together for example are the tyres/brakes going to cope with size of engine etc, do you have lights, do you have number plate, as anything over 50cc falls into motorbike/scooter territory and as such requires to meet the same standards.

Failing to do so, you're essentially riding an unregistered vehicle and would cop the same fines/penalties or lawsuits if you were to be involved in an accident.

Ebikes are different as they cut power when user stops pedalling, if not they need to have small motors on them or deemed to be off road use only.