Parents in New South Wales could face fines for children's dangerous e-bike riding
A new law under consideration is set to dramatically change the use of e-bikes is Australia but it is also sure to create plenty of controversy.
Parents could be slapped with fines for their kids’ bad behaviour on e-bikes under a major proposal being pushed in one Aussie state.
If the New South Wales Liberal Party win the 2027 election, kids, food delivery riders and shared e-bikes in NSW could be required to carry number plates, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The proposed scheme aims to crack down on dangerous riding and soaring injury rates, as e-bike chaos continues to infuriate Sydneysiders.
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It would be an Australian first that specially targets e-bike hooning and high-risk individuals and would require new legislation.
The registration scheme comes after new data showed children are ending up in hospital with far more serious injuries on e-bikes than on regular bicycles.
Additionally, in more recent times, the controversial e-bikes have also been linked to a rising number of deaths this year.
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Under the proposal, anyone under 18 would need a licence plate to ride an e-bike.
The registration would be in their parents’ names but tied to the individual child and can be moved between different bikes.
This would give NSW Police the ability to fine parents directly when kids are caught hooning around on illegal high-powered models, riding dangerously on footpaths or ditching their helmets.
Commercial riders, including food delivery workers, would also need licence plates, allowing authorities to identify and fine those breaking the rules.
Even share bikes, like Lime, would require plates attached to each bike, with fines sent to the company responsible for identifying the rider.
According to the Telegraph, over 1,100 children have been hospitalised this year due to injuries related to non-motorised bikes and scooters.
More than 600,000 NSW households now own an e-bike, with sales expected to spike this Christmas again.
Under current rules, legal e-bikes in NSW must cut out at 25km/h and have a maximum power output of 500 watts. Anything that exceeds these limits effectively becomes an unregistered motorbike, resulting in hefty fines for riders.
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In response to recent e-bike incidents, the Minns Government has moved to further tighten the rules, confirming it will slash the maximum power limit to 250 watts across the board from 2026.
This move will bring NSW in line with other Australian states.
However, bikes with a 500 watts motor will still be legal if bought before the change kicks in.
The government is also reviewing the definition of an e-bike to shut down loopholes that allow motorcycle-level machines to be sold and ridden as though they’re bicycles.
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