NSW introduces laws to crush illegal high-speed e-bikes amid safety concerns

Consensus Summary

NSW is introducing new laws to combat illegal high-speed e-bikes by giving police and transport authorities the power to seize and crush vehicles exceeding 25km/h, using roadside dyno units to test speeds. The legislation, modelled after Western Australia’s existing measures, aims to curb dangerous ‘throttle-only’ e-motorbikes linked to anti-social behaviour and injuries. Queensland is also tightening regulations, with proposed laws restricting e-mobility devices to riders over 16, enforcing lower footpath speed limits, and requiring learner’s licences or motorbike licences for more powerful models. Both states cite recent incidents—including a swarm of e-bikes on Sydney Harbour Bridge—as justification for stricter enforcement. While NSW’s Transport Minister John Graham emphasizes a focus on illegal rather than safe e-bike use, Queensland’s laws will address broader safety concerns like pedestrian risks and rider qualifications. The Guardian’s coverage includes additional context on NSW’s undecided minimum age for riders and unrelated policy debates, such as AI safety and gambling advertising, which are absent from NEWSCOMAU’s focus on e-bike regulations.