Authorities in one state have ramped up their crackdown on illegal e-bike use, as modified electric rideables continue to pose a major threat nationwide.
This weekend, NSW Police seized 36 illegal e-bikes during a targeted patrol of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Dozens of penalty notices were also issued, police confirmed.
The major blitz was a joint operation between NSW Police and Transport for NSW, and it was the first since the state’s strict new laws came into effect on 21 August.
Under the tough new reforms, amendments to the Road Transport Act 2013 now allow illegal, modified, or high-powered e-bikes, other non-registerable motor vehicles, and unregistered registerable vehicles used in public places to be seized and destroyed.
This weekend, in a joint operation between Transport for NSW and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, police officers targeted illegal, modified and high-powered e-bike use in the Northern Beaches area.
The area, specifically, Manly, Curl Curl, Dee Why and Avalon, were identified following recent incidents of illegal, dangerous and reckless e-bike use, NSW Police confirmed on Saturday.
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The e-bike blitz was a joint operation between NSW Police and Transport for NSW
(NSW Police)
During the operation, police seized 36 e-bikes, including three e-bikes that were identified as non-compliant on the dynamometer.
A speed-testing dynamometer is used to assist officers in testing suspect devices.
Police also issued 16 penalty notices and 46 cautions for various offences, including helmet and mobile phone offences.
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A 14-year-old boy was among the dozens of e-bike users who were stopped and questioned by authorities. His device, police say, was capable of reaching speeds exceeding 90 km/h.
In New South Wales, the legal motor-assistance speed limit for an e-bike is 25 km/h.
A food delivery rider was also stopped, and an inspection of the e-bike revealed it was allegedly modified and non-compliant.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, encourages riders to ensure their bikes are road legal.
“Riders need to ensure their e-bike complies with legislation and that when they ride that they comply with the rules about where they can and cannot ride their e-bikes,” Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
“Most e-bike riders do the right thing and comply with the rules; however, police will enforce with new legislation if people ride non-compliant vehicles.”
New laws in NSW allow authorities to seize non-compliant e-bikes and destroy them.
(NSW Police)Authorities ‘are serious’ about illegal e-bike use
Transport Secretary, Josh Murray said the majority of people using e-bikes on NSW roads were using them legally and safely, but there were a small number who ignore the rules and our warnings, and they endangered other road users as a result.
“We are serious about e-bike safety and operations like this will continue by NSW Police with support from Transport for NSW to ensure all road users are safe and complying with the state’s upgraded laws,” Mr Murray said.
“E-bikes must behave like bicycles, not motorcycles. If your bike can operate like a motorcycle under throttle or go more than 25 kilometres an hour while being powered, it is not legal to ride in public.
“Before you or your child jumps on an e-bike, please make sure it’s road-legal, otherwise you risk losing the bike.”
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