Scruby-Scamps Bring Community Together to Tackle E-Bike Safety
On Thursday August 21 s Mona Vale Surf Club was filled with locals attending the community forum on e-bike safety and regulation, hosted by local MPs Jacqui Scruby and Dr Sophie Scamps. The event brought together a panel including trauma specialists, representatives from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command, advocacy groups, a youth advocate, Transport for NSW representatives and Mayor Sue Heins.
Central themes of the discussion were:
- Previous policy failures resulting in inconsistent and ambiguous laws at Commonwealth and State Level:
- Changes made to importation laws by Kevin Hogan and Barnaby Joyce have led to a proliferation of bikes that can be easily unlocked with a code, transforming them from e-Bikes to unregistered mopeds in seconds. This then leads to dangerous driving on illegal e-bikes by unlicensed, often young drivers.
- Changes made by Natalie Ward and Rob Stokes mean NSW has inconsistent definition of e-Bikes than other jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth, leading to confusion in the market about what is legal and not legal.
- Education is critical as parents, young people and pedestrians feel they don’t know or understand the rules. Increased education is supported by police who are willing to play an active role in education.
- Police are limited by the complexity of the legislation and the Young Offenders Act and therefore there is an inherent enforcement gap.
- Licensing and registration delivered through schools has local support despite some stakeholders and TfNSW believing money is better spent on other initiatives such as infrastructure.
- Infrastructure is needed but funding to date from Federal and State governments has been woefully inadequate and despite strong opposition to e-Bikes on footpaths, communities often resist bike lanes.
- Keeping footpaths for pedestrians and under 16s with speed limits was strongly supported, with the deadly risks to pedestrians highlighted by the doctors on the panel. This is in stark contrast to the NSW Government’s intention to relax e-mobility on footpath laws which will fundamentally change how footpaths are used.
The NSW Government released their e-Microbility Action Plan in 2024 and announced its commitment to promoting the uptake of e-rideables.
However, the Government in its May 2025 response to upper house inquiry into the Use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options report stated, it will only 'Support in principle' Recommendation 33;
'That the NSW Government investigate, as a matter of urgency, potential settings to create a viable model for e-mobility insurance, including compulsory insurance for owners/riders.'
and has 'not supported' Recommendation 34;
'That the NSW Government refer the potential settings of a viable model for e-mobility insurance and government position on the issue to Portfolio Committee No. 6 -Transport and the Arts for further public consultation.'
In New South Wales e-micromobility devices are exempt from vehicle registration and, therefore, the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance scheme. While shared scheme operators are required to have public liability, third-party property damage, and personal accident insurance, individual owners of e-micromobility devices have limited options for private insurance coverage.
The government wants to 'wait and see', stating in its response it;
'commits to exploring options for e-micromobility insurance, including potential settings, considering the need for people injured by devices to be effectively supported, affordability, existing insurance settings and viability of those arrangements.'
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons NSW branch stated in its submission to the Inquiry that:
'NSW surgeons manage an exponentially rising number of injuries sustained by people riding or injured by e-mobility devices. Over 22,000 of these devices are now owned privately within New South Wales. Each day in NSW, faciomaxillary surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, plastic reconstructive surgeons and general surgeons assist in the care of those injured in this rising pattern of injury observed in the last decade in New South Wales.
Since their introduction, related trauma has increased substantially, with injuries and deaths in riders, passengers and pedestrians placing further pressure on first responders (ambulance and police) as well as hospital and health systems.'
The injuries sustained by pedestrians and riders are classed as ‘priority one’, meaning the injuries sustained are life-threatening.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby noted that concerns relating to e-Bikes, particularly illegal bikes, along with dangerous driving by young riders are one of the top issues received in correspondence to her office.
The forum focused on the urgent need to address this.
“The Commonwealth needs to act immediately to address the key underlying issue - but equally we can’t sit idly and wait. There is value in making the act of unlocking an e-Bike to go 50km/hr illegal in NSW and for that to be clearly communicated to parents, students and riders along with clear guidance on where to ride and that pedestrians have right of way, the risks of injury, death and manslaughter charges.” Ms Scruby said
“Education, including advertising campaigns and engaging with young people is first, and something I’m committed to lead in Pittwater. Following that, the limitations on enforcement must be resolved and planned for. In other jurisdictions illegal e-Bikes are confiscated, or parents are responsible for fines - those measures will send a clear message.”
“Dr Scamps will be leading the way in Federal Parliament to legislate to stop importers and retailers from selling e-bikes that can be so easily converted into mopeds with a code.”
“Months ago these specific issues relating to e-Bikes weren’t the focus of the NSW Government, but I feel that is changing due to continued pressure.”
“I’m very concerned that the NSW Government is seeking to relax footpath laws. People in Pittwater want the restrictions for under 16s only to remain and for a speed limit.”
“Licencing and registration bring education and accountability. If the NSW Government doesn’t want to support that system, Pittwater schools have expressed willingness to trial innovative youth licensing and registration programs and I’m committed to making that happen.”
“I’ve witnessed both adults and young people verbally abusing each other. Education for everyone about what the rules are will see a reduction in this and an increase in social etiquette.“
Audience members, including concerned parents, said the rules are so complex that neither young riders nor their families can make sense of them, and warned of the dangers of young people riding powerful e-Bikes unsafely, often off-road or in public spaces not designed for them. Panellists stressed the importance of stronger education programs in schools, clearer licensing pathways and tougher action against the import and sale of illegal high-powered e-bikes.
The forum highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of e-bikes, with strong agreement that clearer laws, better education and targeted enforcement must go hand in hand to keep the community safe.
The forum was an important opportunity to hear directly from the community and experts about the challenges e-Bikes pose for both riders and pedestrians.
“It’s clear that education, clearer rules and tougher enforcement are all needed to keep everyone safe,” Jacqui Scruby, Member for Pittwater said.
Dr Scamps echoed these concerns and set out a clear agenda for reform at the federal level of government.
“It’s a bit like the Wild West out there when it comes to e-Bikes, but whether we like it or not they’re here to stay. The forum was about listening, learning and working together. We need to ensure that e-bikes are safe for everyone from pedestrians, riders and drivers. That’s where politicians need to step in.
“At the federal level there are some very clear changes that can be made which I’ll be calling for in a private members bill. These include nationally consistent standards and closing import loopholes that allow illegal, high powered, easily modifiable e-bikes into Australia,” Dr Scamps said.
Ms Scruby said: “I will continue to work with schools, Transport for NSW, advocacy groups and local leaders to develop practical solutions that protect riders, pedestrians and the wider community while allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of e-Bikes safely. Forums like this are vital, and I will keep engaging with the community to ensure everyone’s voices help shape effective policy and safety measures.”
The Pittwater MP will be supporting Mayor Heins July council meeting Mayoral Minute for education trials and in local schools as soon as possible.
The Mayor's Minute, which was supported by all but 3 councillors, means the council; 'Acknowledge/s the increasing popularity of bike riding, and the importance of adequate road safety education. [will] Participate in Bicycle NSW’s Student Bicycle Licence Scheme and work with local schools within the local government area on its uptake.'
“I think there's a real opportunity to trial education programs with licensing in our local schools, so that we teach kids the risks and rules. Once you sort that federal problem of the bikes being able to be unlocked too easily, then maybe we won't need much enforcement after all.” Ms Scruby said
“This is a whole of community call for action to create a culture which supports riding e-bikes as a safe transport option,” added Dr Scamps.
On June 5 2025 Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby tabled a Notice in the NSW Parliament to move—
That a bill be introduced for an Act to amend the Road Transport Act 2013, the Road Rules 2014 and other legislation to provide for the regulation of the sale, ownership and use of e-bikes; and for related purposes.
(Road Legislation Amendment (E-Bike Regulation) Bill) (Notice given 5 June 2025—lapses 6 December 2025)
Among the Questions tabled on Wednesday August 6 were two sets of queries listed by Pittwater's MP in regards to e-Bike injuries:
E-BIKE INJURY DATA - HEALTH—Ms Jacqui Scruby to ask the Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health, and Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast—
(1) Does NSW Health collect and publish data on injuries involving e-bikes, including hospitalisations and emergency department visits?
(2) Is this data disaggregated from other cycling injuries or personal mobility device-related injuries?
(3) Is there a mechanism for sharing e-bike injury data with Transport for NSW to inform safety policy?
E-BIKE INJURY DATA - TRANSPORT—Ms Jacqui Scruby to ask the Minister for Regional Transport, and Minister for Roads representing the Special Minister of State, Minister for Transport, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy—
(1) Does Transport for NSW currently collect and publish data on accidents or injuries involving ebikes?
(2) Are e-bike accidents reported separately from other cycling incidents in road safety datasets?
(3) What efforts have been made to standardise reporting of e-bike incidents?
(4) Has Transport for NSW conducted or commissioned any research into injury trends or the risks of modified e-bikes?
(5) How is accident data being used to inform regulation of e-bikes on footpaths, shared zones, and roads?
In the NSW Legislative Assembly, answers to written questions must be lodged by Ministers within 35 calendar days after the question is first published. If an answer is not received within the timeframe, the Speaker will inform the House and the Minister must explain the delay.
The Legislative Assembly next sits on Tuesday September 9 2025
Dr. Scamps heads back to Canberra this week for the last sitting week of Winter 2025 for the 48th Parliament of Australia.