Name: NSW considers e-bike license plates amid safety concerns
Uploaded: 2025-12-08T06:18:21.535Z
Duration: 2 min 9 s
Description: The New South Wales opposition has proposed license plates for e-bikes to improve rider accountability, while the government plans to reduce the legal power limit for e-bikes. The measures come as e-bike ownership surges and safety concerns grow.

The New South Wales opposition has proposed license plates for e-bikes to improve rider accountability, while the government plans to reduce the legal power limit for e-bikes. The measures come as e-bike ownership surges and safety concerns grow.

Council of the City of Sydney

Authorities in New South Wales are considering new measures to address safety concerns related to e-bike use, including a proposal from the opposition to introduce licence plates for children, delivery workers, and share bikes. The plan aims to help police identify reckless riders, with registration for minors tied to their parents, who would also be responsible for any fines.

Meanwhile, the Minns government has announced a reduction in the legal power limit for e-bikes from 500 to 250 watts, with exemptions for bikes purchased before the new rules take effect. These changes come as e-bike ownership in NSW exceeds 600,000 households, prompting calls for increased safety and legal compliance.

NSW considers e-bike license plates amid safety concerns

Doubling up, tripling up, with no helmets and seemingly no worries. The way they ride is so dangerous. Yesterday we were on George Street and about 20 or 30 young kids came past on bikes down into a station. It was horrendous. But the opposition has a plan. Licence plates for kids, delivery workers and share bikes, so police can identify those riding recklessly. We would envisage this being a low-cost scheme, say $20 to buy the plate. For under 18s, registration would be tied to their parents. As a parent, I'm going to want to know if my kid is doing something wrong. I want them to be safe. They'd also cop the fines. If they can afford to have an e-bike, they can afford to be responsible for their kids riding them. Should have done it years ago. For 17-year-old Jesse, his e-bike is his freedom. I use it to get to work, get to the beach. It's helpful for my parents as well. I've zipped up to the shops a bunch of times, grabbed milk or eggs. But he's on board with the plates too. It holds you as the individual directly responsible. It's already proven successful. E-Bike Safety Australia has rolled out student ID tags in the Shire. As a result, schools there have seen complaints drop by about 80%. Accountability works, but where the Liberals want to push this is into registration territory, which will have third-party insurance. And I don't see an insurance company out there with an appetite for insuring a 10-year-old child. It would require legislative changes. We're happy to look at ideas that make life safer. The Minns government has opted to change regulation, slashing the legal power of these bikes from 500 to 250 watts. Those purchased before the changes come into effect next year would be exempt. 600,000 households in New South Wales already own an e-bike and come Christmas morning that number will only spike again. But its buyers beware, with parents urged to err on the side of safety. But the question, more importantly, that parents must be asking is, can this be ridden legally in public areas? Tallulah Thompson, 10 News.

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