[ad_1]
Illegal e-bikes in NSW will be seized and crushed in a tough new approach to removing high-powered and altered bikes off roads and footpaths.
The NSW state government announced the change on Thursday with NSW police and Transport Authorised Officers now able to seize illegal e-bike and Transport for NSW will be able to destroy them.
The government said while they want young people outdoors and active, they would not tolerate illegal, high-powered e-bikes that put lives at risk and form part of anti-social behaviour.
Transport Minister John Graham said this law allows them to turn non-complaint e-bikes into useless, twisted wrecks.
“If you are riding an illegal e-bike, we are coming for you,” he said.
“We want to encourage the safe and healthy use of e-bikes which are very popular in NSW. By drawing a line in the sand on unsafe, illegal e-bikes, this new law assists us to do just that.”
As well as the new crushing machinery, the government also invested in a number of “dyno units” which are portable test units that measure the speed of an e-bike to ensure it cuts out at 25km/h.
If an e-bike is found to not comply with NSW laws, police will have the power to seize it and ultimately crush the bike to ensure it does not return to the road.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, said police have better things to do than chase illegal e-bikes.
“The message is simple: if you’re riding an illegal e-bike, police now have the power to take it off the street for good,” she said.
“These tough new laws give police a hard edge. Not another warning. Not a slap on the wrist. If the bike is illegal, it can be seized and crushed.”
The seize and crush laws build on already existing laws introduced by the government to crack down on e-bikes and dangerous behaviour including, reducing the 500-watt e-bike power limit to 250-watts and setting a minimum age limit for e-bike riders.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said this law is an important step in strengthening public safety.
“For too long, illegal e-bikes have posed a serious threat on our roads and footpaths, leading to serious injuries, and in some cases, tragic deaths,” she said.
“This legislation gives police the ability to take back control of our streets by destroying illegal bikes and sends a strong message to anyone thinking of doing the wrong thing in the future.”
The new law comes after a sweeping majority of NRMA members want under 16s banned from riding e-bikes following a string of high-profile accidents, a viral bridge hooning incident, and rising anti-social behaviour.
New NRMA research shows 73 per cent of its 1451 surveyed members support an outright age ban, while the same percentage backs NSW Police confiscating and crushing illegal e-bikes. Ninety-two per cent of respondents also demand stronger government action on e-bike safety.
The peak motoring body released the data amid an intensifying political and legislative debate over micro-mobility in NSW.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury stated that while the organisation viewed e-bikes and e-scooters as viable solutions for short commutes, they were not suitable for children.
“We have sadly seen the tragic results of having children using these devices our roads and footpaths,” Mr Khoury said.
“NSW needs to improve the accountability of riders and device traceability. There is also a liability and insurance gap that needs to be addressed.
“In the meantime, parents need to stop buying these bikes for their kids. There is clearly significant public concern around children using these devices on our roads.”
Public frustration is reflected in the survey, with 85 per cent of members expressing concern over “dangerous and anti-social” riders, and 65 per cent stating that rules are unclear.
Accountability measures received strong backing, with 88 per cent supporting an online road rules test for riders and 78 per cent believing riders should hold a valid driver’s license.
The survey follows a string of incidents, including in February when a US man was fined after a group of about 40 people filmed themselves riding e-bikes and e-motorcycles dangerously across the Sydney Harbour Bridge before dispersing to evade police.
Police also recently arrested a 17-year-old on Sydney’s northern beaches after he allegedly led officers on a dangerous e-bike chase using an illegal electric trail bike.
He faces seven charges, including reckless driving, evading police, and riding an unregistered vehicle.
The arrest fell under Operation E-Voltage, a multi-agency crackdown in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney’s south that resulted in four e-bike seizures, four arrests, and almost 100 traffic notices.
The state opposition is also leveraging public sentiment to push for stricter laws.
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have proposed amendments to the Road Transport Amendment Bill 2026 to grant police sweeping powers to seize e-bikes from riders deemed “ratbags”.
Under this framework, adults would lose their bikes for 14 days, while minors would have their devices held until a parent or guardian collects them.
Opposition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward said the amendments targeted riders who abused the rules.
“People are sick of dodging ratbags on e-bikes … This is about consequences,” Ms Ward said.
“If you ride responsibly, you have nothing to worry about. But if you’re tearing through shopping centres, abusing police or treating suburban streets like a racetrack, your e-bike will be taken.”
Opposition police spokesman Anthony Roberts added that the current government approach lacked a meaningful deterrent.
In response to the growing safety concerns, the NSW government introduced what it describes as “measured and staged reforms aimed at improving safety for riders, pedestrians and the wider community”.
The changes began rolling out from March this year with new European-style manufacturing standards and power limits.
The government is managing a three-year transition period towards full compliance by March 2029 while evaluating a minimum rider age and expanded police powers.
[ad_2]
