A minimum riding age for e-bikes is on the cards for NSW as the government moves to put the brakes on the use of high-powered, and illegal, motorised bikes.
The government estimates that there are 760,000 e-bikes in the state as their popularity grows.
Transport Minister John Graham says keeping children safe around these electric devices 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,” he says.
“I acknowledge concern about groups of teens piling on to fat-bikes – often three to a bike – and sometimes breaking road rules.”
A new Transport for NSW review points out that current road rules allow for a child of any age to ride an e-bike and carry passengers if the bike allows.
E-bikes are heavier and faster than traditional bicycles which increases the force of a crash, increases the risk of serious injury and make them more difficult to control, it notes.
The review will call for a legal minimum age of 12 to 16 years to ride an e-bike in NSW and it is considering whether children/teenagers are able to carry passengers safely.
“We are increasing the powers of NSW Police to seize and crush illegal e-bikes, and the adoption of the EU standard is part of building safe and clear rules,” Graham says.
“The community has spoken against souped-up motorbikes masquerading as e-bikes; this new standard makes clear that e-bikes must perform like bicycles, not motorbikes.”
AGE RESTRICTIONS
Police Minister Yasmin Catley says officers are seeing first-hand what happens when powerful e-bikes are misused.
“By introducing sensible age settings and cracking down on illegal, high-powered bikes, we are helping police prevent dangerous behaviour before more people are seriously hurt,” she says.
“The vast majority of people do the right thing; these laws are designed to support them.
“This is about getting the balance right so e-bikes remain a useful transport option without putting the public at risk.”
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison says the safety risks are severe enough to warrant age restrictions.
“We want to make sure riders are physically and cognitively capable
to handle e-bikes, so they can be ridden safely within the road rules.
“Age restrictions for young riders will help ensure this can be done and reduce the risk of injury for not just young people but also other road users too.
“We think the risks are significant enough to warrant a change.
“We will make a decision on age limits after the findings of Transport for NSW’s review and recommendations are handed down.”
The review is due to be handed over in June, the government says.
EU SAFETY STANDARDS
In March, NSW will adopt European safety standards to restrict the power and speed of e-bikes.
Under this standard, e-bike batteries are limited to 250 watts with power assistance to cut out at 25km/h and no power assistance at all after 6km/h if the rider is not pedalling.
Only Western Australia have adopted these standards, the NSW government says.
THREE YEAR TRANSITION
A three-year transition from 500 to 250 watt-powered bikes will apply, the government says, due to the former Coalition Government’s 2023 decision to increase the allowable power from 250 watts to 500 watts.
From March 1, 2029, only e-bikes that comply with the European standard will be road legal in NSW; retailers will also be required to clearly specify if the bike is EU-compliant.
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