NSW police to seize and crush illegal throttle-only e-bikes under new laws

8 February 2026

newy.com.au – The Minns Government says NSW Police will be given expanded powers to seize and crush illegal e-bikes that operate more like motorbikes than bicycles, under reforms announced on Sunday, 8 February 2026.

The government said the crackdown was aimed at high-powered and doctored devices, including throttle-only “fat bikes” that it says are driving anti-social behaviour and serious injuries on roads and shared paths.

Transport Minister John Graham said owners of non-compliant devices should expect them to be taken and destroyed, warning that “illegal bikes will end up as a twisted wreck so they can’t rejoin the road”.

Police Minister and member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said the change was meant to stop dangerous bikes being seized and then returning to the streets. “If your bike does not meet the rules, it will be destroyed,” Catley said, adding that “there will be no exceptions”.

The ministers said the reforms targeted devices marketed as e-bikes that include throttle operation without pedalling above 6km/h, exceed the legal power output, or have modified speed limiters. Under NSW rules, the government said a compliant e-bike must have power assistance that cuts out completely at 25km/h.

The government said it would invest in portable “dyno units” to allow police to test whether a bike’s power output is beyond the legal maximum and whether assistance cuts out at the required speed. If a bike is found to be non-compliant at the roadside, police would be empowered to crush it “to ensure it does not return to the road,” the release said.

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison and member for Maitland said the crackdown was not limited to Sydney, saying communities across regional NSW were dealing with illegal e-bikes being ridden “at dangerous speeds on footpaths, local roads and town centres”.

The announcement referenced a recent social media stunt involving throttle-only devices on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which the government said were not legal e-bikes under NSW law and would be able to be seized and crushed under the new legislation.

NSW Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he welcomed the move and supported cycling as active transport, but said regulation and enforcement were needed. “From the response I have received from the wider community, it is clear that we all agree action needs to be taken to strengthen enforcement. We are changing that today,”.

The government said Transport for NSW and NSW Police were developing the new seizure laws and would look at seizure and disposal settings in Western Australia, where police have confiscated and crushed “dozens” of bikes, and flagged further measures to be announced in coming weeks.