Major e-bike blitz sees riders fined, tackled by NSW police

E-bikes are becoming a major mode of transport around the city but many riders may be unaware their mode of transport is breaking the law.

For one rider, he was reminded his bike is illegal and faced not only a large fine but was also tackled by police on George Street.

“Ha, I hope you saw him throwing me off the bike,” the rider yelled to 9News.

The rider had been caught for the second time in two months using his banned bike and was also accused of avoiding officers while they patrolled for illegal e-bikes.

The fine wasn’t cheap, a whopping $704.

In NSW, only power-assisted pedal cycles and electrically power-assisted cycles are legal and the e-bikes cannot exceed speeds of 25 km/hr.

Petrol-powered bikes, bikes powered by internal combustion, or using an electric engine to solely propel the bike are illegal.

Personal electric scooters, skateboards and hoverboards are also banned. 

E-bike user Imtisz Jahangir said the legality or illegality of e-bikes should be clearer.

“The seller should stop the sale of the bike, they don’t provide information which bike is legal and which is illegal,” he said.

Meanwhile, as e-bike usage is increasing across NSW their counterpart the e-scooter is set to be introduced in the state.

Ryde, North Sydney, Georges River, Parramatta and Wollongong councils have expressed interest in the trial to have the bikes available on the streets in their areas.

Beam Australia will be supplying the scooters for the trial.

“There’s up to 15 or 20 councils from across the state that are interested in trialling e-scooters so we’re working with them to understand their needs,” Tom Cooper from Beam Australia said.