Petition to the NSW Government:

Stop the Blanket Crushing of E-Bikes and Introduce Fair, Practical E-Bike Reform

To the NSW Government and Minister for Transport, We, the undersigned, call on the NSW Government to reconsider its approach to e-bikes currently deemed illegal under NSW regulations, particularly the proposed or current policy of crushing confiscated e-bikes.

While we support sensible regulation and public safety, the current approach is disproportionate, environmentally wasteful, and fails to recognise the legitimate needs of many e-bike users.

Our concerns are as follows:

1. Accessibility and Inclusive Transport
Many riders rely on higher-powered e-bikes for legitimate and essential reasons, including: Cargo bikes used for transporting children, groceries, or work equipment. E-bikes used by people with disabilities, injuries, or limited mobility

These bikes often require 750W–1000W motors to function safely and effectively under load, particularly when starting from rest, climbing hills, or carrying additional weight.

Power alone does not equate to danger. Speed and rider behaviour are the primary safety factors, not motor size.

We call for exemptions allowing higher-powered motors where pedal assistance cuts out at 25 km/h, aligning with international practice while supporting accessibility.

2. Practical, Fair, and Consistent Enforcement

E-bike compliance can be quickly and reliably assessed through simple spot checks, without invasive testing or destruction of property.

Effective enforcement should focus on:

Whether the bike is fitted with a throttle that propels the bike beyond walking speed without pedalling

Whether motor assistance cuts out at 25 km/h. 
These two checks directly address the real-world safety risks posed to pedestrians and other road users.Motor size alone should not be used as a primary enforcement criterion, particularly given that:

Many riders purchased e-bikes with higher-rated motors based on unclear, outdated, or inconsistent advice from retailers and regulators
NSW regulations have changed over time, including periods where 500W motors were permitted, creating confusion and unintended non-compliance

Riders should not be punished for legacy rules, poor guidance, or design choices that do not result in unsafe riding behaviour.

3. Crushing E-Bikes Creates Unnecessary E-Waste

Crushing e-bikes:
Creates avoidable electronic and lithium battery waste

Contradicts NSW environmental and sustainability objectives
Destroys assets that could otherwise be made compliant

Instead of destruction, e-bikes could be:

Modified or reprogrammed to meet legal requirements

Fitted with compliant controllers or throttle limiters
Repurposed or donated through approved programs

A repair-and-repurpose approach is environmentally responsible and socially beneficial.

4. Focus on Speed and intent, Not Blanket Bans

We support clearer and fairer rules around where and how e-bikes are used:

Introduce a footpath speed limit for all personal mobility devices

Ban riders over the age of 16 from riding on footpaths, except where no safe alternative exists or for accessibility reasons
Prioritise enforcement against dangerous or reckless riding behaviour, rather than technical motor specifications alone

This approach improves pedestrian safety without unfairly penalising responsible riders.

What We Are Asking For

We urge the NSW Government to:

Halt the blanket crushing of confiscated e-bikes plan. 

• Introduce exemptions for cargo bikes and accessibility-related e-bikes up to 750W–1000W, provided assistance cuts out at 25 km/h.
• Adopt simple, behaviour-focused compliance checks based on throttle function and speed cut-off, not motor size alone
• Allow confiscated e-bikes to be modified, repurposed, or donated rather than destroyed.
• Implement footpath speed limits and age-based footpath restrictions to improve safety

Conclusion

If all e-bikes are required to cut motor assistance at 25 km/h, and throttles are limited to walking speed or removed, motor size becomes a technical design choice rather than a safety risk.

A fair, evidence-based approach will improve safety, reduce waste, protect accessibility, and restore public confidence in NSW e-bike regulation.

We ask the NSW Government to work with riders, disability advocates, environmental groups, and industry to deliver clear, modern, and enforceable e-bike laws that reflect real-world use.