Parents planning to buy an e-bike as a Christmas present have been warned to ensure what they purchase is legal, with NSW Police highlighting both looming changes to legal power limits and current dangers involving modifications and rider behaviour.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Driver said an e-bike motor with a maximum power output of more than 500 watts is illegal to ride in NSW, even if limited by software. The legal wattage is expected to drop to 250 watts within months, reversing a 2023 change that raised the limit to 500 watts.
Transport Minister John Graham said the incoming move will bring NSW back in line with other national jurisdictions following consultation with retailers and the community. Currently, e-bike motors must cut off at 25 km/h and require pedalling when the bike reaches 6 km/h.
Police warned that modified bikes and powerful motors are becoming more common. Riders must wear approved helmets, and only those under 16—and parents accompanying them—are allowed on footpaths. It is illegal to use mobile phones while riding unless hands-free or in a commercially manufactured holder.
Offences such as riding without a helmet or using a mobile phone can result in a $410 fine, while other illegal e-bike use can cost $818. Converted e-bikes with lithium-ion batteries are banned on public transport, with fines between $400 and $1,100.
The government has committed to reinstating the requirement for imported e-bikes to meet the European safety standard EN 15194. Consumers are advised to check for a sticker confirming certification.
