A rider's death in a collision with a garbage truck in Sydney, Australia, has ignited a fierce debate on public safety, prompting the government of New South Wales (NSW) to consider a drastic measure: halving the legal power output for electric bikes.

This move from a continent away serves as a critical cautionary tale for Kenya. As thousands of electric motorcycles and e-bikes flood the streets of Nairobi and other towns, promising cheaper transport and cleaner air, the tragedy in NSW underscores an urgent question: are Kenya's regulations keeping pace with its electric revolution?

The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, told radio station 2GB that his government is contemplating a “serious change” to limit e-bike motors from 500 watts down to 250 watts. "We see some kids on bikes that are more like motorbikes," Minns noted. "They can go as fast as a car, and as a result, people can get hurt."

Kenya's Regulatory Grey Area

Kenya's electric mobility sector is expanding rapidly, with EV registrations more than doubling over the past two years and the number of charging points growing to over 200 by early 2025. This growth is a cornerstone of the government's plan to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on imported fuel.

However, the regulatory framework remains a work in progress. Under Kenya's Traffic Act, e-bikes—bicycles with a motor for assistance—are currently treated like traditional bicycles, exempting them from licensing and insurance requirements. While some safety standards are advocated, such as a 25 km/h speed limit for electric assistance and a 250W motor limit similar to European Union rules, a formal technical framework is still developing.

This ambiguity creates a potential safety vacuum, a stark contrast to the robust, albeit reactive, approach now being considered in Australia.

A Looming Safety Crisis?

The stakes for Kenya are incredibly high. The country is already grappling with a devastating road safety crisis, largely driven by conventional petrol-powered boda bodas.

• Between January and November 13, 2025, a total of 4,195 people died on Kenyan roads.
• Motorcyclists accounted for 1,085 of these deaths, a significant increase from the previous year.
• In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 431 lives were lost in motorcycle accidents, averaging five deaths per day.

These grim statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) highlight the existing dangers of two-wheeled transport. The introduction of more powerful, and potentially unregulated, electric versions could exacerbate this crisis if not managed proactively. While the government has offered tax incentives to encourage EV adoption, authorities like the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) are still in the process of establishing comprehensive standards for electric motorcycles.

As Australia confronts its own tragedy, its response offers a clear signal to Kenyan policymakers. The challenge is to balance the immense promise of e-mobility with the paramount need for safety, ensuring that the electric dream does not become a public safety nightmare.