New South Wales e-bike age Limit laws delayed until after 2027 State Election
New South Wales Transport Minister John Graham has delayed plans to introduce age restrictions for e-bike riders across the state until after the March 2027 State Election.
Following the March 2023 state Election, the first session for the 58th Parliament of New South Wales commneced on May 9 2023.
Earlier this year, he said the NSW Government was considering banning children under 12 from riding high-powered e-bikes, with laws to be introduced by Christmas.
In February, the Minister said the government wanted to see children outdoors and active, but keeping them safe is paramount.
“I am concerned that we have primary school-aged children trying to control e-bikes that in some cases are heavier than them, Mr Graham added.
“I acknowledge the concern in the community about groups of teens piling onto fat bikes – often three to a bike – and sometimes breaking simple road rules. 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,” he said.
At that time, Minister Graham also announced that an expert review would examine a legal minimum age between 12 and 16 for riding an e-bike, and whether children and teenagers should be allowed to carry passengers, with findings to be presented by June 2026.
This was followed on March 24th with the announcement that Laws giving NSW Police and Transport for NSW new powers to seize and crush illegal e-bikes are being introduced to NSW parliament today, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s crackdown on dangerous and anti-social e-bike use.
The Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026 targets the growing number of throttle-only, high-powered e-motorbikes that are fuelling dangerous anti-social behaviour, community frustration and serious injuries.
Essentially if an e-bike is performing like a motorbike, it can be seized and crushed.
''The legislation will significantly enhance enforcement capability by extending seizure powers to Police and Transport Authorised Officers.'' the government stated
The support from Transport will assist Police in managing the fast-changing nature of devices and dangerous behaviours. The two ''agencies will work together to establish a clear framework for implementation.
The NSW legislation is based on similar seize and crush laws in Western Australia.
NSW will be the first state to introduce roadside dyno units, which are able to test if an e-bike can go faster than the 25 km/h limit - giving law enforcement more tools to take illegal bikes off the road and into the crusher.
The seize and crush laws build on a series of key initiatives from the Minns Labor Government to crackdown on illegal e-bikes and dangerous behaviour:
- The expansion of Strike Force Puma to target dangerous e-bike and e-motorbike rideouts.
- Reducing the 500-watt e-bike power limit to 250-watts.
- Bringing NSW into line with the rest of Australia by enforcing the EN15194 standard.
- Implementing a minimum age limit for e-bike use.
- Introduced Australia’s first shared scheme legislation giving councils the powers to enforce no-go and go-slow zones, control parking, ensure helmet provision and insurance for riders.
- Introduced new safety standards for lithium-ion batteries and banned modified e-bikes from trains and metros to reduce the risk of fires.
The NSW Government is reminding parents to double-check before buying an e-bike for their child. Not all e-bikes sold in shops are legal on our streets.'' the government said
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“We’re a big step closer to seizing and crushing dangerous e-bikes today, which is a step towards making the people of NSW safer.
“We don’t want to discourage safe and healthy e-bike use, but we do want to discourage dangerous and illegal e-motorbike use – and these powers will do exactly that.
“If it behaves like a motorbike, it’s probably illegal and could end up in the crusher. So the message is simple, don’t buy an illegal e-bike.”
“This legislation gives police and transport officers the powers they need to efficiently and permanently remove these devices from our streets and public places.”
The Bill subsequently passed and 36 e-bikes have been seized across Manly to Avalon Beaches since the new laws commenced.
Of note was an e-bike capable of allegedly reaching speeds of more than 90 km/h being seized from a 14-year-old boy at Warriewood.
However, on November 10 it became apparent the proposed laws have been further delayed until the state election in March 2027, with Minister Graham saying the government’s immediate priority is targeting illegal and modified e-bikes, including seizing and crushing vehicles that breach the rules.
On Wednesday November 11, Minister Graham stated in response to a question from Shadow Transport Minister Natalie Ward,
''We are consulting on an age limit. We are committed to introducing an age limit in New South Wales. That is the Government's position. But we are not publicly committed to legislating by Christmas. That is not a position the Government has taken. As the Premier and I have publicly made clear, we are examining an age limit of 12. We are consulting on that, and I think that is appropriate.''
The same day the coalition released a statement, saying:
'Despite all the Government’s rhetoric, e-bike rider behaviour is still worse than ever, with reports that 342 children were hospitalised in the year to October following incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters along with near misses across a spectrum of ages and locations.'
Shadow Transport Minister Natalie Ward said the Minister had run out of excuses while injuries pile up, and the public has had enough.
“In February it was there will be an age limit, now it is ask me after the election,” Ms Ward said.
“He is tough on talk and soft on delivery. It is a weak response that ignores the community and lets injuries pile up while the report he promised sits on his desk. Accountability for the public and riders is currently the emergency room yet nothing for the Minister.”
“His own colleagues are leaking he hasn’t taken the report to Cabinet. That is not a good sign for a Minister’s performance.”
“We have an implementation plan for licence plates paired with education. John Graham has admitted he has nothing.”
The coalition's plan for licence plates for e-bikes and further education on safety was first raised by the Independent MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby in March 2026.
Ms Scruby's Bill tackles e-bike safety through licensing, registration, education and accountability. Ms Scruby said then the Government’s current approach focuses too heavily on punitive measures without properly considering practical safety reforms.
“It’s ludicrous to believe you can seize and crush your way out of the e-bike problem.
“Licensing and registration are being ignored by the NSW Government, but it is the missing link in addressing dangerous riding and supports insurance that protects those injured by bikes - like a resident who is now facing $30,000 in medical costs following a recent accident.” the MP for Pittwater said
Ms Scruby believes that if bikes had number plates, rideouts causing damage to property such as the Long Reef Golf Course, wouldn’t occur, or if they did, it would be easy for police to investigate.
“There is a lot of anti-social and illegal behaviour that can happen on a legal e-Bike and without registration, there’s limited opportunity for enforcement or to deter behaviour.”
“It’s not that hard. We already have trials of education and license plates like E Bike Safety Australia currently being undertaken at high schools like St Luke’s Dee Why and Cronulla High.”
After the delay disclosed this week, the MP for Pittwater stated:
“This government is failing when it comes to e-bike safety – this is the latest lost opportunity, following a refusal to require compulsory insurance.”
“Jurisdictions like Queensland have done far more, in far less time. There is no excuse for delay, especially when 1 in 3 children being hospitalised in the Sydney Children’s Network are under 12.”
“The government should be informing the public of their intention before Christmas when more e-bikes are purchased.”
“We need to take action like Queensland. I have a bill for licensing, registration and insurance to end reckless riding. We do it for boats and boat licenses – it’s not that hard and will set up a system of accountability, responsible riding and assist enforcement when rules are broken.”
In the year to 29 September, the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network recorded 183 children presenting with e-bike and e-scooter injuries, four times the number in 2023.
“Now more than ever, we must licence and register e-bikes. If you ride a motorised bike, you should know the road rules, follow them and be held to account if you don’t. Enforcement is almost non-existent and without licensing and registration, police have limited ability to identify riders or deter dangerous behaviour. It is the missing link.”
Ms Scruby’s Bill, the Road Legislation Amendment (E-Bike Regulation) Bill, redefines e-bikes as legally different from pushbikes and gives the Minister the powers to licence and register them, limit footpath speeds, and collect the data needed to guide future policy.
“In Pittwater we have 12-year-olds driving boats with respect for the rules and risks. We can do the same for e-bikes. This isn’t about blaming young people, it’s about giving them the training and accountability to ride safely.”
Matthew Rog, Director of E-Bike Safety Australia, said: “Education and visible identification (through registration) are the missing pieces in improving e-bike safety. I support Ms Scruby on this bill.”
“The Government’s blitzes and new e-bike standards are welcome, but they don’t replace a licensing and registration system. I urge every MP to back this Bill before another child is hurt,” Ms Scruby concluded.