Newcastle schools are taking different approaches to electric bike safety, with some banning e-bikes from school grounds while others focus on education and registration programs. Kotara High School will ban e-bikes on campus from Term 2 this year due to student safety worries, and Whitebridge High School implemented a ban in Term 4 of 2025.
Other public high schools, including Merewether High School, Hunter School of Performing Arts, Lambton High School, and Lake Macquarie High School, have chosen not to banish e-bikes from school grounds. Lambton High School principal James Ostermann said the school communicated a strong message that illegal or modified bikes are forbidden, and instead focuses on educating students on responsible riding behaviour.
Hunter Christian School acting principal Alan Westbury reported no issues with e-bikes and said the school follows Transport NSW guidance. Newcastle Grammar School allows non-modified e-bikes but requires parents to collect modified bikes, and is exploring an e-bike rider training and registration program based on a Bicycle NSW model.
Schools in the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese have not banned e-bikes, but encourage students and families to follow NSW road rules. State laws enacted this week allow NSW Police and Transport for NSW to seize and crush illegal e-bikes, targeting throttle-only, high-powered e-motorbikes. NSW will also introduce roadside dyno units to test if e-bikes exceed the 25kmh speed limit.
