Papa Grande - E-Trike Gallerie
see our latest e-trike in action

This was not a paid promotion. We did not pay Chris for this video review in any way shape or form. He paid full price for the bike.

Chris purchased El Hefe after lengthy search for something fun with good bang-for-buck 😊. He noted that he found it hard to find any video reviews on the bike. So, he made one for us to share with the community!

Watch the full 11+ minute video to get a good idea as to whether this is the right e-bike for you. It will also give you a good gauge of the quality and features of our other bikes. Chris includes a comprehensive review and close-up in-depth footage of all core components.

Thanks Chris!! You are a true legend 🤙

Assembling any of our bikes takes just minutes. Something to cut the cable ties that secure the bike within its packaging is all you’ll need. No experience required. Watch how quick and easy it is.

What is the law? 

In Australia, the laws regarding e-bikes are constantly changing. However, generally speaking, they are becoming more relaxed. Increasingly higher wattage bikes are being allowed. NSW recently changed its laws to allow 500w e-bikes on public roads without registration or license. Similarly, governments across Australia are increasingly coming to understand the many benefits of e-bikes and we suspect will likely favor them ongoing because of this. Electric bikes help stem climate issues, ease public transport reliance, lower traffic congestion, and also help people get more active and get more exercise.

Australia to save time and effort effectively copied the exact same laws in Europe in regard to electric bikes. It is illegal to ride an electric bicycle on the road or on bike paths with a stated power output of more than a certain wattage. It is incredibly hard to monitor and you may see e-bikes on the road with up to 2000w motors.

The exact laws vary from state to state and we suggest checking what the current laws are for your state.

Generally speaking, so long as the throttle is disabled and the bike is limited to a maximum top speed of 25km/h it typically complies with most Australian road rules. All Vamos Bikes can be limited to any speed you desire. You can change this setting in a few clicks and less the 30 seconds at any time. For private property use, there are no restrictions. this means that riders have the benefit of being able to toggle between the options and settings that are most appropriate for them and their intended use(s).

Do I need a driving license or registration? 

If you’re riding an e-bike that abides by the laws described above (EN15194) you are able to ride an electric bike without a driving license. If the bike is overpowered according to the laws of your state or territory then technically it will need to be registered as it is classified as a road vehicle and you would require a driving license if you are intending to ride it on public roads.

Are there any other laws I need to be aware of?

Helmets are compulsory

A law that is enforced around Australia is that it is compulsory to wear a helmet. If caught riding without a helmet you may receive a fine. If the police officer is also having a really bad day he/she may also fine you for riding on the footpath. Shared pathways and cycleways are not classed as ‘footpaths’. In most states and territories anyone over the age of 16 can’t ride a pushbike on a footpath that is not specified as a shared pathway for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Lights are required at night

You also must have a rear and front light when riding at night. Failure to have a functioning light at night, whilst incredibly dangerous and not recommended, can also result in a fine. All Vamos Bikes come complete with integrated front and rear lights so you’re always ready to ride night or day. In most states and territories ‘night’ is classed as when the street lights are turned on.

A very common question we get asked is do electric bikes benefit the environment? It seems now that we are all becoming aware that we have to take more care for the  world we live in and doing this we have to find better lifestyle alternatives. Can an electric bike be one of these alternatives that actually benefit the world and reduce our carbon footprint? 

It can be argued that ebikes use electricity to charge its battery but this electricity is powered by coal thus making it not so appealing. Our batteries at Vamos bikes uses $0.12 to fully charge a battery so though this may have been charged by coal powered electricity the amount used is so minor it is next to nothing. 

Secondly, what kind of an environmental footprint is left from a no longer functioning electric bike battery? Is this just as bad as the plastic that is also rotting our earth? A report made in China regarding lead acid type batteries found that even with recycling, each lead acid battery produced emitted about 420 milligrams of harmful lead. In stating this, Vamos ebikes use Samsung li-lon batteries which do not emit lead. We are yet to have an issue with any of our batteries so far and are happy to help you find the right places to recycle them if you need our help. 

Furthermore a study by the European Cyclist Federation came to the conclusion that the overall carbon footprint of ebikes is nearly identical to traditional bikes as a cyclists produces 21g of C02 per kilometer traveled whereas ebike users produce about 22g of C02 per kilometer (compared with 101g by bus and 271g by passenger car.)  “One reason the numbers between ebikes and traditional bikes is so close that an ebike user expends less energy while riding than a traditional bike rider, and so they will theoretically be consuming fewer carbs, which reduces their carbon footprint.” 

So it seems obvious that ebikes are no doubt beneficial to caring for the world!  

For more info check out https://electricbikereview.com/forum/threads/the-environmental-cost-of-electric-bikes-vs-cars-and-motorcycles.22740/

Aren’t e-bikes just for fat/lazy/old people?

It is a common misconception that you ride an electric bike because you have something that physically disadvantages from riding a normal push bike, but this is not the case! We all know that one hill that you wouldn’t dream of trying to ride our push bike up. For many, these hills are what stops their commute from being a bike ride and makes them a car or public transport ride. A study of ebike users in North America has found that people ride their ebike much more often, 25% of ebike of respondents said they used to ride a regular bike once a week, but after buying an ebike, 49% became daily riders. Stating that your ebike will make you embrace the outdoors more and leave that car at home and is  immensely beneficial to your mental health!

Essentially, electric bikes give you the freedom to travel by bike without the shame of walking up the steep hills. Not to mention all the time and effort saved from trying to find a park, paying for petrol, and owning a driving license. In conclusion, those fat/lazy/old people are smart/environmentally friendly/forward thinkers and are onto a better way of traveling!

Using an Electric bike means that I lose my daily exercise

We know many peoples commute to work is their primary daily exercise and using an electric bike would lessen the fitness element to it. This is completely understandable and running or riding a pushbike is always going to be healthier for you than riding an electric bike. The thing ebikes do achieve it that it allow you to swap your car rides with bike rides making you exercise more than if you were to just own a push bike. According to Norwegian and Dutch studies, you could get fitter than you would on a regular bike because e-bikes encourage you to go further than you might otherwise. “E-bikes give people the confidence to explore more, rather than be exhausted after 20 minutes and go home.” says Dave Hull, owner of major English bike retailer North Pennies Electric bikes. “Before you know it, you’ve done 50 miles and been out for hours.”

Electric bikes are too expensive

You’re right here. Electric bikes are damn expensive! (Prepare for shameless plug)..here at Vamos Bikes we have made it our mission to make quality electric bikes affordable so you don’t have to have serious savings in the bank to be able to afford one. We sell bikes starting from below a $1000 allowing everyone the ability to try out this awesome new transport method!