From the Guardian · · 1m 20s
NSW police are crushing illegal ebikes
A 14-year-old's ebike hit 90km/h, and NSW now has the power to destroy bikes like it.
In brief
A 14-year-old's ebike hit 90km/h, and NSW now has the power to destroy bikes like it. If an ebike keeps powering past 25km/h or runs on throttle alone, it is a motorcycle in the eyes of NSW law, and police can now crush it. Originally reported by the Guardian.
Three dozen bikes, one morning
Police seized 36 illegal ebikes on Sydney's northern beaches on a Friday operation, launched after a run of reckless riding incidents in the area.
“following recent incidents of illegal, dangerous and reckless e-bike use”
A 14-year-old doing 90
One seized bike belonged to a boy from Warriewood. Police said it could top 90km/h, faster than the speed limit on most Sydney roads.
New power to destroy
In late August, NSW police were granted authority to destroy ebikes that can exceed the legal limit. This sweep was the first big test of it.
Fourteen days to appeal
Owners get two weeks to tell police the bike was stolen and ridden by someone else. After that window closes, the bikes go to the crusher.
Tested on a dyno unit
The government bought portable speed-testing machines. One was used on the northern beaches to clock a bike doing over 40km/h on throttle alone.
“We can put an ebike on a machine and test its power and speed very quickly”
Injuries climbing fast
NSW logged 226 ebike injuries across all of 2024. The first seven months of 2025 brought 233 injuries and four deaths.
“Ebikes must behave like bicycles, not motorcycles.”
What to remember
If an ebike keeps powering past 25km/h or runs on throttle alone, it is a motorcycle in the eyes of NSW law, and police can now crush it.
