As e-bikes surge in popularity across NSW, particularly among teenagers, the NSW Government is introducing measures to improve safety and reduce risk for families.
With around 600,000 households now owning an e-bike, and many more expected to buy one this Christmas, parents are being urged to check that any new device is safe, compliant and appropriate for young riders.
The Government will move to reduce the maximum legal power output of e-bikes in NSW to 250 watts, bringing the state back into line with all other Australian jurisdictions.
This reverses a previous regulatory change that increased the power limit to 500 watts, which has contributed to a wave of high-powered bikes that can be unsafe for children and difficult for parents and police to identify.
The change is aimed at keeping kids safer on roads, bike paths and local streets by reducing access to devices that behave more like electric motorbikes than pedal-assisted bicycles.
The NSW Government is also reviewing the definition of an e-bike in road rules to close loopholes that allow motorcycle-level devices to be sold and ridden as though they are bicycles.
These state changes complement national action. The Commonwealth Government has now committed to reinstating import requirements that ensure e-bikes sold in Australia meet the European safety and quality standard, EN 15194.
This will help keep low-quality, easily modified and dangerous devices out of the country.
The updated rules are expected to take effect within months and will be done in consultation with retailers and the community to ensure a fair transition.
Parents buying an e-bike this Christmas are encouraged to look for:
- A clear EN 15194 sticker or certification
- A motor output of no more than 250 watts
- A reputable brand with proper safety documentation
- A model that has not been modified, "chipped," or had its speed limiter removed
The Government is also urging parents to talk to their kids about responsible riding: wearing a helmet, not carrying passengers, sticking to bike paths and roads where permitted, and never modifying a device to go faster.
These changes form part of a broader effort to improve safety around e-devices, including new laws introduced to regulate shared e-bike schemes, clean up footpath clutter and ensure shared scheme operators meet strict safety standards.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"E-bikes are fantastic for getting kids outside, active and independent but they need to be safe.
"We're seeing devices on the market that are far too powerful, too easy to modify and too hard for parents to assess.
"This is about making sure the bike your teenager rides behaves like a bike, not a motorbike.
"Our message to parents is simple: check the sticker, check the wattage, and have a conversation with your kids about staying safe."
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"Nothing matters more than keeping our kids safe. As more young people jump on e-bikes, we need to make sure every device on our roads and footpaths is safe, legal and fit for purpose.
"Right now we're seeing too many powerful, modified devices that put riders and everyone around them at risk. These changes are about preventing serious injuries before they happen.
"Road safety is a shared responsibility. Government is tightening standards and cleaning up unsafe behaviour, but we need retailers, parents and riders to help keep our communities safe."
