Illegal e-bikes will now be seized and crushed in NSW after state parliament approved changes to the Road Transport Act.
NSW Police and Transport officers can seize these e-bikes and Transport for NSW will crush them under changes approved on Thursday.
As well as crushing machinery, the NSW Government is buying portable ‘dyno units’ that can measure if an e-bike’s power assistance cuts out completely at 25km/h as per the law in NSW.
An e-bike found to be non-compliant at the roadside can be seized and crushed; the practice is already law in Western Australia.
NSW Transport Minister John Graham has a warning for illegal e-bike operators: “If you are riding an illegal e-bike, we are coming for you.
“This law allows us to turn an e-bike that does not comply with power output rules to be seized and transformed into a useless, twisted wreck,” he says.
“We want to encourage the safe and healthy use of e-bikes; by drawing a line in the sand on unsafe, illegal e-bikes, this new law assists us to do just that.”
Police Minister Yasmin Catley also has a similar message.
“The message is simple: if you’re riding an illegal e-bike, police now have the power to take it off the street for good.
“We know our police have better things to do than chase illegal bikes through our streets,” she says.
“These tough new laws give police a hard edge. Not another warning. Not a slap on the wrist. If the bike is illegal, it can be seized and crushed.
“Break the law, lose the bike,” Catley says.
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison says: “For too long, illegal e-bikes posed a serious threat on our roads and footpaths, leading to serious injuries and, in some cases, deaths.”
The first dyno unit from Europe has been received by Transport for NSW with more on order.
CRACKING DOWN ON E-BIKES
The seize and crush laws are part of measures targeting illegal e-bikes and dangerous behaviour. Other measures include:
Continuing with Strike Force Puma to target dangerous e-bike and e-motorbike ride-outs.
Lower the 500-watt e-bike power limit to 250w in line with other states.
Enforce a minimum age limit for e-bike use.
Empower councils to enforce no-go and go-slow zones, control parking, ensure helmet provision and insurance for riders.
New safety standards for lithium-ion batteries and banning modified e-bikes from trains and metros.
MORE EBIKE NEWS: bikes to be banned from Sydney transport
