First batch of illegal e-bikes crushed into scrap metal
Announced: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Illegal e-bike owners will get a graphic demonstration that the Minns Labor Government is taking a tough approach on safety, with the first batch of illegal e-bikes seized under new laws getting crushed today.
23 illegal e-bikes are being turned into scrap metal today at a wrecking yard in Blacktown, after NSW Police and Transport for NSW exercised new seizure powers in a joint operation on the Manly to Barrenjoey peninsula in mid-September.
See Week 3 Sept. 2026 PON report: 36 e-bikes seized across Manly to Avalon Beaches under new laws
Of the 36 illegal e-bikes seized in the operation, applications for the return of 13 bikes are still being assessed by NSW Police.
The e-bikes crushed include an e-bike capable of speeds of more than 90km/h seized from a 14-year-old, well-known brands that had been ‘tampered with’ to override speed restriction settings and a food delivery bike.
The seizures follow new laws introduced by the NSW Government (Road Transport Amendment Non-registrable Motor Vehicles Act 2026) to give Police and Transport the powers to confiscate and dispose of illegal e-bikes.
E-bike batteries are being removed for safe disposal and recycling ahead of crushing.
To be compliant and avoid the NSW Government’s crusher, e-bikes should have:
- - Max speed of 6 km/h while not pedalling
- - Power assistance that cuts out when the bike reaches 25 km/h
- - Maximum continuous power of 250 watts (500 watt will be tolerated until March 1 2029).
If purchasing an e-bike, check that it meets the EN 15194 e-bike standard. These bikes are legal to use on-road now and into the future.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“This is a graphic warning to anyone riding or buying an e-bike: if you don’t want it turned into shrapnel, make sure it’s legal.
“We’ve all seen the videos of hordes of teenagers riding illegal e-bikes on the Harbour Bridge and on golf courses. We want that to stop, and the crusher is here to help.
“Make sure your e-bike is compliant and you follow the road rules otherwise it could suffer the same fate as these bikes.
“E-bikes are a great transport option, but we can’t let the risk outweigh the rewards.”
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“We made a commitment to crack down on dangerous and illegal e-bike activity, and today shows how we’re delivering on that commitment.
“With the first batch of illegal e-bikes getting crushed following legislation introduced by the Minns Labor Government, the message could not be any clearer. If you’re riding an illegal e-bike on NSW roads, you can expect to have it confiscated and destroyed.
“As we’ve seen, illegal e-bikes pose a serious risk to riders, pedestrians and everyone else using our roads and shared paths, so we’re taking firm action to get them out of our communities.
“If an illegal e-bike is located and confiscated, it won’t be going back onto our streets.
Photo: 23 e-bikes that were seized by NSW police under new laws being crushed at a wrecking yard in western Sydney on Thursday. Photo: NSW government
Appealing a seizure: e-bikes
Under the legislation, the e-bike’s owner has 14 days to appeal a seizure, but only if:
- they or an immediate family member were NOT the rider at the time and- the suspected unlawful use of the bike happened without the owner’s knowledge or consent.
An immediate family member is defined as:
- (a) the person’s spouse or de facto partner,- (b) the person’s parent, step-parent or guardian,- (c) the person’s grandparent or step-grandparent,- (d) the person’s child or step-child or another child for whom the person is the guardian,- (e) the person’s grandchild or step-grandchild,- (f) the person’s sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling
See Road Transport Act 2013 No 18 - NSW Legislation - Section 4.4
Photo: NSW Police