Promises of a license scheme amid fatalities
E-bike wattage has been halved in NSW, bringing the state into line with most parts of Australia.
NSW was one of few regions where 500 watt-e-bikes were allowed, when it was increased in 2023 from 250 watts. The government announced the change last December, the same day a man on an e-bike died in Ultimo after colliding with a truck. Premier Chris Minns said at the time that an increase in high-powered bikes could be unsafe for children and difficult for parents and police to identify.
The Federal Government committed to reinstating import requirements that ensure e-bikes meet the European safety and quality standard, EN 15194, a key reform in line with Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps’ Safer E-Bikes Private Member’s Bill introduced in September.
“There has been a glaring federal loophole, so this is good news that the government is finally moving to close it,” Dr Scamps said. “This is a major step forward after growing concern about unsafe, high-powered e-bikes being imported and sold with almost no oversight.”
The NSW Liberal and National parties committed to introducing a license plate scheme for e-bike users.
The scheme would mandate low-cost registration for specific categories of e-bike riders, enabling better enforcement against unsafe behaviour. A government issued license plate was also mooted for those under 18 and commercial riders such as food delivery operators.
Riders aged 18 and over who use a privately-owned e-bike would be exempt from the scheme. New penalties would be introduced for non-compliance, alongside expanded safety education.
Independent Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said the real test would be whether the Liberals support her Road Legislation Amendment (E-Bike Regulation) Bill 2025. She said that capping e-bikes at 250W and licence plates were not going to fix the current issues of many users tampering with speed mechanisms to make bikes faster, which has resulted in numerous serious injuries of users across the state, including on the Northern Beaches.
“What NSW needs is proper e-bike licensing, registration and insurance, like a boat licence. Riding a fast, heavy e-bike on the road at speed without ever being taught the road rules is obviously fraught with dangers for all involved.”
Northern Beaches mayor Sue Heins urged the government to ‘respond swiftly, enact legislative and other changes, provide relevant funding and support police to increase education and where necessary enforcement of illegal devices and activity.’
