The New South Wales (NSW) government has introduced legislation to expand enforcement powers against illegal e-bikes, allowing authorities to seize and destroy devices deemed unsafe or non-compliant.
The Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026, tabled in the state parliament on March 24, aims to curb the rise of high-powered, throttle-operated e-motorbikes linked to dangerous riding.
Under the proposed laws, any device functioning like a motorbike—particularly those exceeding legal speed and power limits—can be confiscated and destroyed, even if purchased unintentionally.
The reforms extend seizure powers to both NSW Police and Transport for NSW authorised officers, strengthening their ability to respond to risks posed by powerful e-bikes.
Authorities will also be equipped with new roadside testing technology, including dyno units capable of measuring whether an e-bike exceeds the 25 km/h legal limit. NSW will become the first state to deploy such tools.
The legislation draws on similar measures already in place in Western Australia, which saw a fatal e-bike incident last year.
In addition to the proposed legislation, the NSW government has rolled out several initiatives to curb illegal e-bikes, including expanding Strike Force Puma—a specialist traffic and highway patrol unit—to target illegal ride-outs, reducing the maximum power limit from 500 watts to 250 watts, and aligning state standards with national EN15194 requirements.
Warning For Parents
The NSW government has also issued a warning to consumers, particularly parents, to exercise caution when purchasing e-bikes. Many products marketed as compliant are, in fact, classified as illegal motorbikes due to throttle operation without pedalling above 6 km/h, excessive power output, or tampered speed limiters.If a device does not meet the legal definition of a pedal-assisted e-bike in NSW, it can be seized and destroyed regardless of how it was acquired.
“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,” NSW Transport Minister John Graham said.
Queensland Flags Similar Reforms
Queensland has also moved to tighten its own e-mobility laws, with new rules expected to be introduced to state parliament this week.Under the proposed reforms, all e-scooter and e-bike riders in the state would be required to hold at least a learner licence and be aged 16 or over. However, these requirements would not apply to e-wheelchair users.
The government is expected to accept all 28 recommendations from the inquiry, which was launched after a spike in injuries and fatalities linked to e-mobility devices.
In 2025, 12 people, including several children, died in e-mobility-related incidents across the state, while more than 6,300 were hospitalised.
Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg highlighted the need for stricter e-mobility laws.
“We are banning under 16s from these devices because the safety of kids is paramount,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on March 24.
“We’ve taken the time to get this right, and our reforms strike the right balance between keeping Queenslanders safe from those who do the wrong thing, while backing the Queenslanders who do the right thing.”
