NSW moves to seize and crush illegal e-bikes, and floats insurance and a minimum age

New South Wales is tightening the screws on non-compliant e-bikes. Under the Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026, police will be able to seize and crush devices that behave like motorbikes: those with a throttle that works above 6 km/h, excessive power, or modified speed limiters. The powers are written to catch bikes bought in error as well as deliberately illegal ones.

To enforce it, police are trialling portable dyno units that can test a bike's power and speed at the roadside against the EN 15194 pedal-assist standard, although only a small number of units were bought initially.

Insurance and an age limit are on the table

Separately, NSW Treasury is exploring a compulsory insurance scheme along the lines of the CTP green slip that motorists already pay, and a proposed minimum riding age set somewhere between 12 and 16. Neither is law yet, but both signal the direction: e-bikes are being pulled further into the regulated-vehicle world.