The NSW Government has announced it will introduce a minimum age to ride an e-bike in the state as part of a raft of reforms aimed at improving safety for riders, pedestrians, and the wider community.
There are an estimated 760,000 e-bikes in NSW. The Government says the reforms being introduced recognise the law needs to keep pace with the popularity of e-bikes while ensuring families and riders who have already purchased devices are treated fairly.
“I am concerned that we have primary school-aged children trying to control e-bikes that in some cases are heavier than them,” said Minister for Transport, John Graham.
An expert review led by Transport for NSW will recommend a legal minimum age between 12 and 16 for riding an e-bike in NSW, while also considering whether children and teenagers have the skills, maturity and awareness of potential dangers required to safely carry passengers.
As part of this review there will be consultation with experts in child development and road safety, including the NSW Office for Youth and Young People, and will listen directly to parents and young people before making a final decision on the appropriate age threshold, the Government outlined in a statement.
Advice and findings will be provided to the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads by June, with the NSW Government to make a final decision on an age limit and passengers.
Minister Graham said NSW will also adopt the European safety and performance standard to ensure e-bikes perform like bicycles, removing the current crop of high-powered, illegal motorbikes masquerading as e-bikes from the state’s roads and footpaths.
Under the EU standard, e-bikes must have a maximum power output of 250 watts and power assistance must cut out at 25km/h. No power assistance is delivered at all after 6km/h if a rider is not pedalling the bike.
The standard also includes strict battery, electrical and fire-safety requirements, as well as anti-tampering protections to prevent power and speed limits being altered.
NSW will join only Western Australia in requiring this benchmark, giving riders clearer rules and stronger safety protections.
From 1 March 2029, only e-bikes meeting the European standard will be road legal in NSW.
“I acknowledge the concern in the community about groups of teens piling on to fatbikes – often three to a bike – and sometimes breaking simple road rules,” said Mr Graham.
“This review has been tasked with investigating whether teens have the ability to safely double their friends and how young is too young to be in the saddle of an electric bike.”
Police powers to seize and crush illegal e-bikes are also part of the reform package.
“We are increasing the powers of NSW Police to seize and crush illegal e-bikes, and the adoption of the EU standard is part of building a safe and clear framework of rules around this popular form of transport,” said Mr Graham.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said the new laws are designed to support the vast majority of people do the right thing.
“Police see firsthand the consequences when powerful e-bikes are misused,” said Minister Catley.
“By introducing sensible age settings and cracking down on illegal, high-powered bikes, we are helping police prevent dangerous behaviour before more people are seriously hurt.
“This is about getting the balance right so e-bikes remain a useful transport option without putting the public at risk.”
