The first batch of noncompliant e-bikes seized from the Northern Beaches three weeks ago are set to be crushed today.
On Friday, 11 September, NSW Police and Transport for NSW seized 36 e-bikes from across the Northern Beaches, including at Manly, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Warriewood and Avalon Beach.
The confiscated e-bikes were found to be noncompliant with rules that require them to not exceed 6 km/h under throttle control alone or provide electric pedal assistance above 25 km/h.
Under new laws introduced by the Minns Government, which came into effect on 21 August 2026, 23 of the 36 illegal e-bikes are being destroyed today (Thursday, 01 October) at a wrecking yard in Blacktown. The remaining 13 e-bikes are subject to appeals over their confiscation and will not be scrapped today.
NSW Minister for Transport John Graham (image above) warned people to ensure their e-bikes were legal or they would suffer the same fate.
“This is a graphic warning to anyone riding or buying an e-bike: if you don’t want it turned into shrapnel, make sure it’s legal.
“We’ve all seen the videos of hoardes of teenagers riding illegal e-bikes on the [Sydney] Harbour Bridge and on golf courses. We want that to stop, and the crusher is here to help.
“Make sure your e-bike is compliant and you follow the road rules otherwise it could suffer the same fate as these bikes.
“E-bikes are a great transport option, but we can’t let the risk outweigh the rewards,” said Minister Graham.
The grounds for successful appeal of a confiscation are relatively narrow under Section 79B of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW).
The application must be made by a person with claim to the e-bike who is not the rider in possession of the bike when it was seized, or a member of their immediate family.
It must further demonstrate the unlawful use of the e-bike occurred without their knowledge and consent.
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said anyone riding an illegally modified e-bike can expect it to be destroyed.
Jenny Aitchison
“We made a commitment to crack down on dangerous and illegal e-bike activity and today shows how we’re delivering on that commitment.
“With the first batch of illegal e-bikes getting crushed following legislation introduced by the Minns Labor Government, the message could not be any clearer. If you’re riding an illegal e-bike on NSW roads, you can expect to have it confiscated and destroyed.
“As we’ve seen, illegal e-bikes pose a serious risk to riders, pedestrians and everyone else using our roads and shared paths, so we’re taking firm action to get them out of our communities.
“If an illegal e-bike is located and confiscated, it won’t be going back onto our streets,” said Minister Aitchison.
In Brookvale this morning, NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane (image above) said that the announcement was a ‘photo op’ and more concrete action was needed.
“The Government has a tremendous picture opportunity today, they’re crushing 23 bikes. That’s a good start but there’s a long way to go. E-bikes are a menace in our streets. They are dangerous.
“They are putting people in hospital, and this government is not doing enough. They need to be doing more than a simple media opportunity. Chris Minns this morning admitted he’s not doing enough. Well, what’s he doing then? It’s not enough just to say it’s bad, and we need to do better. Do better.
“We’ve got ideas. The Liberals and the Nationals want a registration scheme. We want to manage bad rider behaviour. Labor has an opportunity to do more than a press release and picture opportunity,” said Ms Sloane.
Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Roads Natalie Ward (image above) was also in Brookvale this morning and said the Minns Government had ‘talked a lot but done very little’.
“Yesterday we learned that former ABC broadcaster Margaret Throsby has been severely injured by an e-bike.Â
“Over two and a half years, the Government’s response has been to talk a lot about e-bikes but do very little.
“We have been calling for simple licence plates on the back of bikes to identify and prevent these very problems,” said Ms Ward.
The 36 e-bikes seized (video above) were found by police and officers from Transport for NSW to have been modified, most often to exceed the allowable speed under throttle control. One confiscated from a 14-year-old boy at Warriewood was able to reach speeds of more than 90 km/h.
In addition to the throttle limit of 6 km/h and electric pedal assistance up to 25 km/h, e-bikes that exceed a maximum continuous power rating of more than 250 watts will become illegal on 01 March 2029.
Many e-bikes sold in NSW have power ratings up to 500 watts and will need to be made compliant before that date or also risk confiscation.
Before being crushed, the e-bike battery is removed for safe disposal and recycling.
For information on the new e-bike rules and requirements, visit the Transport for NSW website.
Images: Northern Beaches Advocate, NSW Police
Video: Luke Gavahan, NSW Police Force
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