New South Wales police have seized 36 illegal ebikes on Sydney's northern beaches, weeks after being granted new powers to destroy dangerous bikes. The operation was part of a coordinated effort with the NSW government to ensure only legal ebikes are ridden.
One of the seized ebikes, which belonged to a 14-year-old boy from Warriewood, was capable of reaching speeds of more than 90km/h. Police launched the operation following recent incidents of illegal and dangerous ebike use.
Assistant Commissioner David Driver stated that more operations would be launched across the state in the coming weeks. Owners of seized ebikes have 14 days to inform police if their bike was stolen and being used by someone else. After this two-week period, the government stated the bikes will be crushed.
New legislation, introduced in late August, allows police to seize ebikes that exceed the legal speed limit or do not cut power assistance at 25km/h. Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray noted that portable speed-testing devices, known as "dyno units," were used to inspect suspect ebikes.
NSW recorded 226 ebike-related injuries in 2024, with that figure surging to 233 injuries and four deaths in the first seven months of 2025. Mr Murray emphasised that ebikes must behave like bicycles, not motorcycles, and that operations will continue to ensure road safety and compliance with upgraded laws.