Illegal e-bikes to seized and crushed under sweeping new laws   
NSW Police are set to be handed new powers to seize and crush illegal and high-powered e-bikes in response to a series of incidents and accidents.


News.com.au
February 8, 2026

Illegal e-bikes to be crushed in NSW   
If an e-bike is found to be non-compliant at the roadside, Police will be empowered to crush the bike to ensure it does not return to the...

High-powered e-bikes will be crushed and destroyed under hardline new powers being handed to NSW Police by the Minns government.

The government has initiated a crackdown on what it says are motorbikes masquerading as e-bikes in the wake of a series of accidents and incidents which have drawn anger and condemnation.

The issue hit the headlines again last week when a pack of youths were captured on footage dangerously crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

American social media personality Sur Ronster, who has over 3.4m followers on YouTube, was hit with two traffic infringement notices for negligent driving and fined $562.

Police said more than 40 people rode across the bridge in a dangerous manner during the stunt.

Dozens of youths drove across the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the stunt.

The incident resulted in widespread outrage and condemnation.

In Queensland, the government is holding a parliamentary inquiry into e-bike and e-scooter safety following a series of serious accidents, including the death of 17-year-old Hudson Gagg on the Gold Coast.

Hospital figures have shown that the number of children being treated in Sydney for e-bike accidents has tripled since 2023.

According to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, 94 children were admitted as a result of e-bike accidents last year, up from 60 the year before, and up from just 33 in 2023.   

The NSW government said on Sunday it was handing new seizure and destruction powers to NSW Police as a result of serious injuries and community frustration.


It said many “fat bikes” and other throttle-only devices, including those used in the ride across the Harbour Bridge last week, are illegal under NSW laws.

Transport Minister John Graham.

Under current NSW law, the motor on an e-bike must cut out when it reaches 25km/h.

Officers will be allowed to seize illegal e-bikes during roadside tests.

Parents are being urged to double check whether an e-bike is legal when they purchase it and the government said that bikes will be able to be seized and crushed even if they are purchased in error.

“We’ve heard loud and clear the concern in the community about souped-up e-bikes and the anti-social behaviour that seems to go hand in hand with them,” Transport minister John Graham said.

“Riders and owners of illegal e-bikes should now hear us loud and clear: If you are breaking the rules, and your bike does not meet the very clear specifications of a pedal-assisted e-bike, expect it to be removed from your possession and crushed.”

“Illegal bikes will end up as a twisted wreck so they can’t rejoin the road. We will ensure e-bikes behave as bicycles, not motorbikes.”   

Something needs to be done about ebikes but I don't think this is it.

How will the cops know if an E-bike is illegal?

Are all cops experts in engineering?

greggerypeccary wrote on Feb 9^th, 2026 at 5:59pm:



How would they know if an electrical connection has been bypassed
to cause the motor to have more power?

Bobby. wrote on Feb 9^th, 2026 at 5:49pm:



Looks like the cops will be taken to court for crushing legal E-bikes.

Even the evidence will be gone - all crushed.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Feb 10^th, 2026 at 8:19am:


Sure is.

First Instance: In 2009, Ryan James Joseph was the first person in WA to have his car confiscated and crushed following a burnout in front of police.

Repeat Offender Example: Thomas Peter Stocks had his car crushed as a teenager, only to have a scooter seized shortly after for further offences.

Recent Action: A Toyota Kluger was crushed after being seized for travelling 90km/h over the speed limit, demonstrating ongoing enforcement.

Bobby. wrote on Feb 9^th, 2026 at 5:49pm:


Are you fairdinkum?

If an e-bike does not have manual peddling ability like a push bike then it's an electric motor bike... therefore it has to be registered & the rider liciensed.

Also any actual e-bikes that have been modified to travel faster than the set legal limits is also illegal.

Get out of your mothers basement.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Feb 10^th, 2026 at 8:19am:


Yes it is widely misused to steal peoples car for little or no reason.

Bobby. wrote on Feb 10^th, 2026 at 1:19pm:


Most of them have switches - pretty easy to check.

By your logic what would qualify coppers to check your motor car & tell you it's unroadworthy?

They do & can ... by checking.

And it's not about being clocked going downhill you numpty .... clock them on the flat.

It's not an e-bike if it doesn't have pedals like a pushbike - cogs and a chain to the back wheel.

Those without peddling capability are electric motorbikes. Have to be registered & licensed.

Baronvonrort wrote on Feb 11^th, 2026 at 2:58pm:

What about coasting?