Council not hap-E about E-Motorbikes

Published on 07 August 2025

High-powered e-motorbikes should not be used on Council parks, reserves, tracks or the A20.

Waitaki District Council wishes to remind the community that motorbikes, electric or petrol powered, are not permitted on Council’s parks, reserves, tracks or the Alps 2 Ocean trail.

E-motorbikes are not the same as E-bikes, which are permitted.

• E-Bike: A pedal assisted vehicle, with a motor limited to 300W.

• E-Motorbike: Throttle driven, motors of 300W or higher, and are classified as motorbikes.

E-Motorbikes are heavy, fast and almost silent. For example, the motor power for the popular Surron e-dirtbike brand ranges from 2,040W to 22,500W.

This makes them a risk to other parks, reserves and trail users; walkers, riders, families, dogs on lead. They also increase damage to tracks, including those put in by mountain bikers, making them less safe.

Under the Reserves Act (1977) the use of any vehicle in these places could result in between an $800 and $1600 fine, and Council also has the power to confiscate the vehicle.

Council is aware that some retailers claim that adding pedals to an E-Motorbike reclassifies it as an E-Bike.

However legally in New Zealand, an E-Bike must be rated at 300W or less. NZTA guidelines on vehicle classification can be found at their website.

ENDS