Parents could be fined under major e-bike registration scheme proposed by Liberals

NSW could become the first state to slap licence plates on children's e-bikes as new data reveals young riders suffer "deep tissue wounds and severe head injuries".

In a bid to stop bad behaviour driving Sydneysiders mad, a Coalition government would launch a major crackdown on people flouting road rules on e-bikes. Picture: Richard Dobson

Kids, food delivery riders and share bikes would need e-bike licence plates if the Liberals win office in 2027.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that, in a bid to stop bad behaviour driving Sydneysiders mad, a Coalition government would launch a major crackdown on people flouting road rules on e-bikes, with an Australian-first registration scheme specifically targeted at cohorts deemed highest risk.

It comes as new data revealed children are being sent to hospital with far more serious injuries while riding e-bikes compared to riding bikes using pedal power alone.

The policy, developed by Liberal transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward, creates a way for parents to be fined if their kids do the wrong thing on e-bikes, while also imposing penalties on food delivery riders and share bike companies that break the law.

Under the scheme, those under 18 would require a licence plate to ride any form of e-bike.

The registration would be in their parents’ name, and would be tied to the individual. It would be transferrable between different bicycles.

It would allow NSW Police to issue fines to the parents of children hooning around on illegal bikes, riding dangerously on footpaths, or not wearing helmets.

People using e-bikes for a commercial purpose would also require licence plates. This would ensure food delivery riders on e-bikes could be identified and fined for doing the wrong thing.

Licence plates would also be required for share bikes, like Lime bikes. These plates, which would be attached to individual bicycles, would give authorities a way of identifying share bike riders breaking the rules, including riding on footpaths.

The Telegraph understands Ms Ward has been working on the major policy announcement for months. Picture: Richard Dobson

Fines would be issued to companies, which would then need to identify who was riding the bicycle at the time of an offence.

The Telegraph understands Ms Ward has been working on the major policy announcement for months.

It is designed to target reckless behaviour regardless of what bike someone is riding.

Requiring licence plates for certain e-bikes would require new legislation.

According to new data obtained by the Telegraph, 1152 children were sent to hospital this year after being injured by riding non-motorised bikes and scooters.

That’s 10 times the number of children injured while riding e-bikes.

However, e-bike injuries included “deep tissue wounds and severe head injuries,” while non-motorised bike and scooter injuries were limited to scrapes, bone fractures, and head injuries.

Ms Ward said the proposed reforms “strike the right balance” between safety and freedom.

“We must regulate for safety over the next decade — not just next year. Identification plates are a sensible, sustainable tool to achieve that,” she said.

“Debates about different speed settings, throttles, power-output fundamentally lose sight of the on the ground experience.
“This policy would provide a tool for police, local councils, and the community while enabling the freedom for riders to continue.”

Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said the low-cost registration scheme would ensure clear safety standards that could be enforced.

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Originally published as Parents could be fined under major e-bike registration scheme proposed by Liberals