14/10/2026
Since 21st August 2026, new e-bike seizure laws have come into effect.
Not all e-bikes sold in Australian shops or through online retailers are legal for road use. E-bikes that operate at higher speeds, have high-powered motors (even if restricted by software), or do not require pedalling cannot be used in public places.
Use of these non compliant e-bikes can attract significant penalties and may be seized by police and authorised officers. Any e-bike that has a throttle cannot exceed 6kph without being pedalled and all power assistance must cut out at 25kph. Currently, the maximum legal power output for an e-bike used in a public place in NSW is 500 watts. However after the 1 March 2029 this will be reduced to 250 watts.
Apart from ensuring that your e-bike is legal, e-bike riders must follow the same road rules that apply to regular bicycles. This includes wearing a helmet, not carrying more passengers than the bike is designed for, and complying with footpath riding rules. If you are 16 years of age or older and are not supervising a child under 16 years of age who is riding a bicycle, you cannot ride on the footpath.
Non-compliant e-bikes present a significant safety risk, to the rider and other people present. Remember, if you ride a non compliant e-bike in a public place it can be seized and destroyed.
