SYDNEY — New South Wales authorities have unveiled a major enforcement crackdown on illegal electric bicycles (e-bikes), granting NSW Police expanded powers to seize and destroy modified and high-powered devices that exceed legal limits. The move, aimed at tackling dangerous riding behaviour and escalating public concern over road safety, has sparked a wide-ranging debate over regulation, community wellbeing and responsible use of micromobility devices.
New Laws Target High-Powered and Non-Compliant E-Bikes
Under reforms announced by the NSW Government, police will be empowered to confiscate any e-bike that fails to cut power assistance at 25 km/h or exceeds established performance limits, and to destroy those devices rather than simply impound them. The change is designed to eliminate from public roads the so-called “souped-up” e-bikes — many of which are effectively unlawful motorised vehicles masquerading as bicycles.
Transport Minister John Graham said the measures were a clear response to “community concern about souped-up e-bikes and the anti-social behaviour that seems to go hand in hand with them,” adding that owners would be told that non-compliant bikes “will end up as a twisted wreck so they can’t rejoin the road.” The aim, he said, was to ensure that e-bikes behave like bicycles, not motorbikes, and to streamline enforcement by avoiding lengthy court processes previously required to seize such vehicles.
How the Crackdown Will Work
To support enforcement, the government has ordered portable “dyno units” — devices capable of measuring an e-bike’s power output at the roadside. These units will be deployed by police across hotspots in Sydney, regional centres and known riding routes to test whether devices comply with NSW’s legal definition of a pedal-assisted e-bike. Anyone caught operating a non-compliant machine can now see it confiscated and crushed on the spot.
Current NSW law stipulates that a legal e-bike’s motor must operate as pedal assist only and cut off at 25 km/h, with maximum continuous motor output limited to a specific threshold. Devices that do not meet these parameters — including many “throttle-only” bikes and high-powered “fat bikes” — are regarded as illegal for use on public roads and paths unless registered as a moped or motorcycle.
Safety and Community Concerns Fuel Government Action
The crackdown follows a series of incidents that have amplified public safety concerns. In early February, a group of around 40 e-bike and e-motorcycle riders was filmed speeding and performing stunts across the Sydney Harbour Bridge during peak traffic hours, drawing condemnation from police and community leaders.
Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said such episodes “put other people’s lives in danger,” and that safer, legal use of e-bikes was critical for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. She noted that coastal areas in Sydney, the Illawarra and the Hunter Valley were among the regions most affected by illegal, high-powered e-bike usage.
Figures cited by authorities indicate a substantial rise in e-bike-related injuries and deaths, with dozens of serious injuries and multiple fatalities linked to high-powered or illegally modified devices in recent years. Advocacy groups like the NRMA have backed tougher controls, urging parents and buyers to ensure e-bikes meet legal standards before they are purchased — especially for younger riders.
Community Safety and Enforcement Challenges
While the government says the new powers will help police “get control of our streets,” some critics argue that the measures focus too heavily on devices rather than on educating riders and enforcing behavioural rules. NSW Opposition figures have called for additional reforms, such as licensing, registration plates and stronger accountability for dangerous riding behaviour. They argue that without addressing rider conduct itself, simply seizing bikes may not be sufficient to deter unsafe practices.
Nevertheless, regional and metropolitan communities alike have expressed frustration with the growing presence of high-powered e-bikes on footpaths, local roads and shared spaces — sometimes at speeds well above legal limits and often with little regard for pedestrians and other road users.
Broader Context: Micromobility Regulation Across Australia
NSW’s crackdown comes amid broader national attention on the regulation of micromobility devices, including e-bikes and e-scooters. Other states, such as Western Australia, have already introduced similar measures, with authorities there having seized and crushed dozens of non-compliant bikes in 2025 as part of local road safety efforts.
Queensland officials have also pledged stringent responses to illegal e-bike use, suggesting that state governments across Australia are recognising the need for clearer enforcement frameworks and community safeguards amid rising popularity of electric mobility devices.
Looking Ahead: Reform, Education and Enforcement
The NSW Government has indicated that the seizure and destruction powers are just the first part of a broader reform package intended to improve safety, clarify legal standards and support responsible e-bike use on public roads and paths. Further measures are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, including possible educational campaigns and strengthened enforcement initiatives designed to balance active transport benefits with community safety concerns.
As legislation progresses through parliament later this year and police begin applying the new powers, the impact of the crackdown — both on illegal devices and on riding culture — will become clearer. For now, owners of modified and non-compliant e-bikes are being given a stark message: if their device breaks the rules, NSW Police will seize and destroy it.
7 years in the field, from local radio to digital newsrooms. Loves chasing the stories that matter to everyday Aussies – whether it’s climate, cost of living or the next big thing in tech.
