Thirty-six illegal e-bikes have been seized in an e-bike blitz on the Northern Beaches. Legislative amendments came into effect on 21 August, allowing for illegal, modified or high-powered e-bikes, other non-registerable motor vehicles, and unregistered registerable vehicles used in public places to be seized and destroyed.
On Friday, officers patrolled Manly, Curl Curl, Dee Why and Avalon in assistance of a joint operation between Transport for NSW and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command. These areas were targeted due to recent incidents of illegal, dangerous and reckless e-bike use.
During the operation, police seized 36 e-bikes, including three e-bikes that were identified as non-compliant using a speed-testing dynamometer.
Police also issued 16 penalty notices and 46 cautions for various offences including helmet and mobile phone offences.
Of note, an e-bike capable of allegedly reaching speeds of more than 90 km/h was seized from a 14-year-old boy at Warriewood. A food delivery rider was also stopped, with an inspection of the e-bike revealing it was allegedly modified and non-compliant.
Under the amended legislation, the seized bikes may be destroyed.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, encouraged riders to ensure their bike was road legal.
“Riders need to ensure their e-bike complies with legislation and that when they ride that they comply with the rules about where they can and cannot ride their e-bikes,” Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
Transport Secretary, Josh Murray said the majority of people using e-bikes on NSW roads were using them legally and safely, but there were a small number who ignore rules and warnings, and they endangered other road users as a result.
“We are serious about e-bike safety and operations like this will continue by NSW Police with support from Transport for NSW to ensure all road users are safe and complying with the state’s upgraded laws,” Mr Murray said.
“E-bikes must behave like bicycles, not motorcycles. If your bike can operate like a motorcycle under throttle or go more than 25 kilometres an hour while being powered, it is not legal to ride in public.
“Before you or your child jumps on an e-bike, please make sure it’s road-legal, otherwise you risk losing the bike.”