The Liberals were told of ‘enforcement challenges’ of 500-watt e-bikes. They brought them in anyway

The former NSW Coalition government was warned by Transport officials that allowing higher-powered e-bikes might have safety implications for children riding on footpaths, but went ahead with the change anyway, as the Liberals now announce a licence plate scheme for the controversial vehicles.

Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and deputy Natalie Ward on Monday announced plans to require all young people under the age of 18, food delivery riders, and share bikes to display a government-issued plate, if elected in 2027. Riders would not be required to obtain a licence to receive the plates, and adults riding for non-commercial purposes would not need to display a plate.

Fat bikes are popular with children in coastal suburbs. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

The policy marks a change in approach for the Liberal Party, which when in government chose to increase the power cap of e-bikes from 250 to 500 watts. Before the change, bikes over 250 watts could not legally be used in public.

A Transport for NSW briefing obtained by the Herald, which was provided to the government in January 2023, outlines several “implications of change” for lifting the maximum allowed power.

The briefing said marketing for higher power e-bikes promotes the ability to travel up steep hills with quicker acceleration; however, the more powerful bikes were likely to pose enforcement challenges and “potential safety considerations”.

“This includes the permitted use of these higher-powered devices by children on footpaths and the interaction with pedestrians on shared paths,” the briefing said.

The then-government chose to move ahead with the change, citing comparisons to Canada where the 500-watt limit is standard in cities like Vancouver which, like Sydney, are more spread out and have hills. Labor has claimed this change has made it harder to regulate e-bikes.

Ward said debates around throttle power and speed “are just an excuse for inaction”.

“The use of e-bikes has significantly increased in recent years, as has the reported number of injuries, particularly amongst children, and anti-social behaviour,” Ward said in response to questions from the Herald.

“These incidents are occurring in communities right across NSW, and the people of our state expect it to be addressed.”

Premier Chris Minns last week announced plans to reverse that policy and instead return the maximum power to 250 watts, in line with other states.

Sloane said she supported “alignment across the states”, but told Hamish McDonald on ABC Radio Sydney the change was “tinkering around the edges”.

Under the Liberal plan, anyone who spots dangerous e-bike riders would be able to easily identify them and potentially report them. Parents would have their details connected to the plates, and held liable if their child does the wrong thing.

Transport Minister John Graham said the government had “big questions” over the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, and called the plates a “huge administrative burden” for parents.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.