The New South Wales government has announced a crackdown on illegally modified e-bikes, with new powers for police to seize and destroy any that exceed the legal speed limit. Transport Minister John Graham stated that e-bikes not cutting power assistance at 25km/h will be confiscated and crushed, even if the owner was unaware of the non-compliance.
The move expands existing seizure laws for high-powered cars and motorbikes, which Graham described as too lengthy and complex for dealing with these vehicles. Portable speed-testing devices, known as dyno units, will be deployed to measure power output. The announcement follows an incident where about 40 e-bikes swarmed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and footage showed riders performing stunts on major roads.
The NRMA, which has called for strong action, reported 226 e-bike-related injuries in 2024 and 233 injuries with four deaths in the first seven months of 2025. NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury welcomed the measure, stating that confiscation and crushing are expensive but cheaper than a funeral.
Graham emphasized that the laws target 'souped-up' e-bikes and associated antisocial behaviour, warning that illegal bikes will end up as 'a twisted wreck'. The laws are modelled on Western Australia's approach, where police have already crushed dozens of non-compliant bikes. Further reforms are expected, including reducing the maximum legal power output to 250 watts.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the government is 'drawing a line in the sand', warning parents that allowing children to ride high-powered e-bikes risks having the bike destroyed. However, opposition transport spokesperson Natalie Ward criticised the approach as 'slow, reactive and bureaucracy-first', calling for licence plates and enforcement of road rules instead.
