Overview
- The first public destruction of seized machines took place on Thursday when NSW Police and Transport for NSW sent 23 illegal e‑bikes to a wrecking yard in Western Sydney.
- Officials say the bikes were taken under laws passed this year that let police and Transport for NSW confiscate and immediately dispose of non‑compliant e‑bikes without a prior court forfeiture order.
- Hospitals report a sharp rise in severe injuries from e‑bikes, with St Vincent’s saying about 42% of adult e‑bike cases required a trauma response and children's presentations to Sydney children’s hospitals more than quadrupling since 2023.
- The seized machines included at least one bike able to exceed 90 km/h and several with overridden speed limits, and some were in the possession of minors, heightening calls for age rules and stronger technical checks.
- Transport for NSW has completed an expert review recommending a minimum rider age of 12–16 years and reported technical rules include a 6 km/h motor cut‑out when not pedalling and a 25 km/h assisted speed limit, though reports differ on the allowed continuous motor power which could complicate enforcement.