Natalie Ward
Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
Shadow Minister for Sport
The NSW Liberals and Nationals are calling on the Minns Labor Government reconsider their opposition to its Australian first e-bike licence plate policy for select user groups following the release of horrific e-bike injury data.
Data released today from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals the urgent need for critical interventions to change behaviour of young people riding e-bikes.
The independent health data reveals:
Hospitalisation rates rose for the transport group that includes e-bikes, with the largest increases among younger people, especially those aged 12–15 and 16–24 years
The largest increases in hospitalisation rates occurred among young males.
In NSW hospitalisations for e-bikes riders has tripled from 125 hospitalisations in 2009-2010 to 604 in 2024-2025.
Under the NSW Liberal and National's policy the licensing scheme would require a government issued license plate to be attached to an e-bike when used by riders who are under the age of 18; riders who use e–bikes for a commercial purpose; and commercial shared service schemes.
Riders aged 18 and over who use a privately-owned e-bike will be exempt from the scheme.
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said the Minns Labor Government is wilfully ignoring the problem.
"Accountability can't begin with a trip to the emergency room. The data tells the story – e-bike injuries are out of control, and the Minns Labor Government is taking a weak slow reactive approach," Ms Ward said.
"If we change behaviour we will get less injuries."
"We've had our policy public for nearly a year, and the Government has taken no action to change behaviour. It is wilful ignorance at this point."
"It's a soft approach that prioritises the approval of bureaucrats and the active transport lobby above common sense to keep kids safe."
