Natalie Ward
Shadow Minister for Transport
The Minns Labor Government's much-hyped crackdown on illegal e-bikes has failed to get off the ground, with not a single e-bike crushed six months after the new powers were announced.
Despite Transport Minister John Graham promising tougher action in February just one portable "dyno" unit is available to test whether e-bikes comply with legal power and speed limits, with another two units not expected to arrive until later this year.
Legislation passed in May allowing police to seize and destroy illegal e-bikes is still not in force.
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said the Government was all talk and no action.
"It's been six months and not a single e-bike crushed. The only thing the Government has managed to crush is the Minister's credibility," Ms Ward said.
"Labor announced these powers with great fanfare, but six months later they haven't even brought their own laws into force."
"Meanwhile the community continues to raise concerns about illegal and overpowered e-bikes on NSW streets and call for tougher enforcement."
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have put forward a clear, practical policy to introduce identification plates for young riders and commercial e-bike operators to enforce rules, change behaviour and prevent crashes.
"The Liberals and Nationals would have had identification plates on e-bikes two years ago, giving police a practical way to identify riders and hold them accountable," Ms Ward said.
"John Graham needs to stop making announcements and tell the community exactly when these laws will commence and when police will have enough equipment to properly enforce them."
