The New South Wales government has commissioned a review into introducing a minimum age for riding e-bikes as part of a broader safety crackdown.
An expert review, led by Transport for New South Wales (NSW), will recommend an age limit between 12 and 16.
It will also assess whether children and teenagers have the skill and maturity to safely ride and carry passengers.
“I am concerned that we have primary school-aged children trying to control e-bikes that in some cases are heavier than them,” Transport Minister John Graham said in a Feb. 20 statement.
Currently, there is no minimum age to ride an e-bike in NSW, and riders of any age can carry passengers if the bike is designed to do so.
“E-bikes are heavier and faster than traditional bicycles, which can increase the force involved in a crash, heighten the risk of serious injury, and make them more difficult to control and manoeuvre,” the government said.
EU Standard Adopted
From March, NSW will adopt the European safety standard EN15194 to ensure e-bikes operate like bicycles rather than high-powered motorbikes.The standard caps motor output at 250 watts and requires power assistance to cut out at 25 kilometres per hour. Motor-only operation will be limited to 6 kilometres per hour, unless the rider is pedalling. The rules also include battery, electrical, fire safety, and anti-tampering rules.
Western Australia adopted the same benchmark last year.
NSW will allow a three-year transition period. From March 1, 2029, only compliant e-bikes will be legal on roads and footpaths.
Opposition Licence Plan
The announcement comes as the NSW Opposition pushes its own regulatory proposal.The NSW Liberal Party has proposed requiring delivery riders and anyone under 18 using an e-bike to display a licence plate. Private riders over 18 would be exempt.
“Coming soon to an e-bike rider near you,” said Deputy Liberal leader Natalie Ward.
“Under the NSW Opposition’s policy, if you are under 18, use an e-bike for a commercial purpose or run a shared service scheme, you will be required to have a licence plate.”
Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Government Accountability Matt Cross said safety concerns were mounting.
“There has been a lot of attention on the safety and regulation of e-bikes in our community,” he said on Facebook.
“That’s why the NSW Liberals and Nationals will introduce a nation-leading e-bike licence plate scheme for certain riders, including children under 18, delivery drivers, and shared-service schemes.”
Several fatal e-bike incidents were recorded in Australia in 2025, including a deadly crash in Sydney in December.
NSW Traffic Police conducted a two-day enforcement operation across Sutherland, St George, South Sydney, and the Eastern Beaches on Nov. 26–27.
Officers stopped 115 e-bikes and issued 176 infringement notices, along with more than 100 cautions. Seven e-scooters were intercepted, resulting in 20 infringements. Police also seized two e-bikes and one e-scooter deemed unsafe or non-compliant.
