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NSW Police Seize 36 High-Powered E-bikes in Northern Beaches Crackdown
By Drooid · · How we work
Operation E-Voltage Seizes 36 Illegal E-bikes
Police on Sydney’s northern beaches confiscated 36 motorised bicycles in a coordinated raid that targeted “illegal, dangerous and reckless” e-bike use. The operation, conducted on a Friday across locations from Manly and Curl Curl to Dee Why and Avalon Beach, also resulted in 16 penalties being issued. One of the seized bikes, owned by a 14-year-old from Warriewood, was capable of exceeding 90 km/h.
Background: New Powers and Safety Concerns
The raid was the first under the Minns state government’s amendment to the Road Transport Act, which in late August gave NSW police authority to seize and destroy e-bikes that can exceed the legal assisted-power limit of 25 km/h. The legislation also permits destruction of bikes that have been modified to achieve higher speeds. Transport for NSW has deployed portable “dyno units” to test power output on the spot.
Data & Statistics
- 36 e-bikes seized.
- 16 penalties issued.
- One bike tested at over 90 km/h; another demonstrated the ability to exceed 40 km/h with throttle alone.
- NSW recorded 226 e-bike-related injuries in 2024.
- In the first seven months of 2025, injuries rose to 233, with four deaths linked to e-bike incidents.
- Road-traffic fatalities in NSW for the current year total 187, compared with 194 for the same period in 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
He noted that the new powers allow rapid testing of e-bike speed and power, and that additional operations are planned across the state in the coming weeks.
Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray stressed that e-bikes must behave like bicycles, not motorcycles, and warned that non-compliant bikes will be destroyed after a two-week window for owners to claim theft.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Most ebike riders do the right thing and comply with the rules; however, police will enforce [the] new legislation if people ride non-compliant vehicles,” — David Driver, assistant commissioner
- “We can put an ebike on a machine and test its power and speed very quickly,” — David Driver, assistant commissioner
- “We are serious about ebike 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,” — Josh Murray
