Illegal e-bike owners will get a graphic demonstration that the Minns Labor Government is taking a tough approach on safety, with the first batch of illegal e-bikes seized under new laws getting crushed today.
23 illegal e-bikes are being turned into scrap metal today at a wrecking yard in Blacktown, after NSW Police and Transport for NSW exercised new seizure powers in a joint operation on the Northern Beaches in mid-September.
Of the 36 illegal e-bikes seized in the operation, applications for the return of 13 bikes are still being assessed by NSW Police.
The e-bikes crushed include an e-bike capable of speeds of more than 90km/h seized from a 14-year-old, well-known brands that had been ‘tampered with’ to override speed restriction settings and a food delivery bike.
The seizures follow new laws introduced by the NSW Government (Road Transport Amendment Non-registrable Motor Vehicles Act 2026) to give Police and Transport the powers to confiscate and dispose of illegal e-bikes.
E-bike batteries are being removed for safe disposal and recycling ahead of crushing.
To be compliant and avoid the NSW Government’s crusher, e-bikes should have:
- Max speed of 6 km/h while not pedalling
- Power assistance that cuts out when the bike reaches 25 km/h
- Maximum continuous power of 250 watts (500 watt will be tolerated until March 1 2029).
If purchasing an e-bike, check that it meets the EN 15194 e-bike standard. These bikes are legal to use on-road now and into the future.
Click here for further information on e-bikes.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“This is a graphic warning to anyone riding or buying an e-bike: if you don’t want it turned into shrapnel, make sure it’s legal.
“We’ve all seen the videos of hordes of teenagers riding illegal e-bikes on the Harbour Bridge and on golf courses. We want that to stop, and the crusher is here to help.
“Make sure your e-bike is compliant and you follow the road rules otherwise it could suffer the same fate as these bikes.
“E-bikes are a great transport option, but we can’t let the risk outweigh the rewards.”
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“We made a commitment to crack down on dangerous and illegal e-bike activity, and today shows how we’re delivering on that commitment.
“With the first batch of illegal e-bikes getting crushed following legislation introduced by the Minns Labor Government, the message could not be any clearer. If you’re riding an illegal e-bike on NSW roads, you can expect to have it confiscated and destroyed.
“As we’ve seen, illegal e-bikes pose a serious risk to riders, pedestrians and everyone else using our roads and shared paths, so we’re taking firm action to get them out of our communities.
“If an illegal e-bike is located and confiscated, it won’t be going back onto our streets.”