Police have seized 36 illegal e-bikes in a high-profile crackdown on Sydney’s northern beaches, marking the first major enforcement effort since the New South Wales government granted officers new powers to destroy dangerous vehicles.
The operation, which targeted riders on Friday, follows a sharp rise in dangerous and reckless behavior involving modified electric bikes. Among the seized items was a bike belonging to a 14-year-old boy from Warriewood, which police confirmed was capable of reaching speeds exceeding 90km/h—nearly four times the legal limit for power assistance.
The NSW government recently introduced legislation allowing police to seize and crush e-bikes that do not comply with safety standards, specifically those that fail to cut power assistance at 25km/h. Under the new protocol, owners have a 14-day window to prove their bike was stolen or was not being operated by them during the time of the seizure. After that period, the bikes will be destroyed.
To support the enforcement, Transport for NSW has equipped officers with portable “dyno units.” These devices allow police to test the power output and speed capabilities of an e-bike on the spot. During Friday’s operation, one bike tested on the machine reached speeds of over 40km/h simply by engaging the throttle.
Assistant Commissioner David Driver warned that this is only the beginning of a state-wide push. “Most e-bike riders do the right thing and comply with the rules; however, police will enforce the new legislation if people ride non-compliant vehicles,” Driver said.
While e-bikes have been championed as a sustainable, climate-friendly solution to urban congestion, the surge in their popularity has brought a spike in safety concerns. NSW recorded 226 e-bike-related injuries in 2024. Alarmingly, that figure was surpassed in just the first seven months of 2025, a period that also saw four deaths linked to the vehicles.
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray emphasized the need to draw a clear line between bicycles and motor vehicles. “E-bikes must behave like bicycles, not motorcycles,” Murray said. “If your bike can operate like a motorcycle under throttle or go more than 25km/h while being powered, it is not legal to ride in public.”
Murray urged parents to be vigilant, noting that the financial consequence of non-compliance is the permanent loss of the vehicle. “Before you or your child jumps on an e-bike, please make sure it’s road-legal, otherwise you risk losing the bike,” he said.
Police have confirmed that further operations are planned across the state in the coming weeks to ensure all road users are compliant with the upgraded laws.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
