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NSW Police can now seize and crush illegal E‑Bikes
New laws took effect on 21 August 2026, and the first 23 seized E-Bikes were crushed on 1 October. Here's how it works, which bikes it targets, and how to make sure yours isn't one of them.
Published by Thor Ebikes. Yes, we sell E-Bikes. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by NSW Police, Transport for NSW or the NSW Government. The facts below come from official sources and news reports, linked at the bottom.
Certified to EN 15194Shop E-Bikes
The short version
- Since 21 August 2026, NSW Police and Transport for NSW officers can seize illegal E-Bikes used in public.
- If no valid claim is made, the bike is forfeited 15 days after seizure and crushed. No court order needed.
- If you or your immediate family were riding it, you can't claim it back.
- It targets the bike, not how you ride. A legal E-Bike isn't what the crusher is for.
01 · The law
What changed
The Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Act 2026 passed NSW Parliament in May and took effect on 21 August 2026. It covers high-powered E-Bikes, e-scooters and other devices that can't be registered because they don't meet vehicle standards.
Before this, police needed a court order to destroy a bike. That step is gone. NSW Police and Transport for NSW officers can now seize an illegal E-Bike, and unclaimed bikes are crushed.
The government's stated reasons are anti-social riding, danger on footpaths and serious injuries. NSW modelled the law on Western Australia's, and Queensland has had similar powers since 1 July 2026.
02 · Which bikes
What counts as illegal in NSW
An E-Bike can be seized if it has any of these:
- More than 500W continuous power dropping to 250W from 1 March 2029.
- A throttle that works above 6 km/h without pedalling.
- Motor help above 25 km/h at any assist level.
- A bigger motor held back by software a code, app or switch doesn't make it legal.
- Modifications that override its power or speed limits, even on a well-known brand.
Buying it by mistake is no defence. The government says a bike that doesn't meet the rules can be seized and crushed even if it was bought in error.
Where: on roads, footpaths, shared paths and other public places, such as shopping centres and golf courses. Officers need a reasonable suspicion that the bike is illegal and was used in public in the past 28 days. Private property isn't covered.
03 · How it works
From roadside stop to scrap metal
-
Step 1Stop and test
Officers can direct you to stop and check the bike, including with testing equipment. NSW is trialling portable dyno units that test the 25 km/h cut-off.
-
Step 2Seized
The bike can be taken on the spot, with a notice saying why and where it's stored. If that isn't practical, you can be told to hand it over within 48 hours.
-
Step 314 days to claim
An owner can apply to get it back, with proof of ownership, if they didn't know about or agree to the illegal use. The rider and their immediate family can't claim.
-
Step 4Forfeited
With no valid claim, the bike is forfeited 15 days after seizure. No court order needed.
-
Step 5Crushed
Batteries are removed for safe disposal, then the bike is crushed. Towing and storage costs can be charged to the offender.
Parents, take note. If the rider is under 16, a copy of the seizure notice goes to a parent or guardian, and the rider's immediate family can't claim the bike back. Ignoring a 48-hour surrender notice can mean a court fine of up to $3,300 (as at October 2026).
04 · Already happening
The first bikes have been crushed under the new law
-
36
Seized
In a joint operation on the Northern Beaches, 11 September 2026.
-
23
Crushed
At a Blacktown wrecking yard, 1 October 2026.
-
13
Claims
Applications to get bikes back, still being assessed at 1 October.
Sources: NSW Police (12 Sep 2026) and NSW Government (1 Oct 2026).
The crushed bikes included one allegedly capable of more than 90 km/h, and well-known brands that had been tampered with to override their speed limits. In Queensland, police seized 558 non-compliant e-mobility devices between July and September 2026, and crushing began there on 14 September.
05 · The good news
If your E‑Bike is legal, this isn't aimed at you
The new law turns on the bike, not on how you ride it. In May 2026, NSW Parliament voted down a proposal to let police seize legal E-Bikes over riding behaviour. Ride a legal E-Bike badly and you can still be fined, but the crusher is for E-Bikes that can't legally be on the road.
If you are riding a compliant, legal device, the bill will not affect you.
So the real question is simple: is your E-Bike legal? Here's how to check, and if you're buying, ask for the EN 15194 certificate before you pay.
How to tell if yours is legal in NSW
- Continuous power of 500W or less 250W from 1 March 2029. Peak watts don't count.
- Motor help stops at 25 km/h faster than that should be all leg power.
- No motor-only riding above 6 km/h a walk or start-up assist is fine.
- No unlocks no codes, apps or off-road modes that add speed or power.
- EN 15194 certified the standard NSW requires from 1 March 2029. Ask for the certificate, not just a sticker.
Want more detail? Read what makes an E-Bike road legal in Australia, with a quick check you can do in a minute.
06 · Our E-Bikes
Built for the rules, not around them
All four of our fat tyre E-Bikes, the Pulse RSE, Pulse EB8 Step-Thru, Thunder V20 Pro and Thunder V29, are certified to EN 15194. That's the standard NSW makes compulsory from 1 March 2029, so they're legal on NSW roads and paths now and after the change.
- 250W continuous motor inside today's NSW limit and the 2029 one.
- Pedal assist cuts out at 25 km/h the motor only helps while you pedal.
- Walk assist up to 6 km/h no riding on the motor alone.
- One setting only no unlock codes, apps or hidden modes.
- Safety certified electrics electrical system to UL 2849, battery pack to UL 2271.
Road rules still apply to every rider: an approved helmet, lights at night, and in NSW, riders 16 and over stay off footpaths unless they're supervising a child under 16 or are exempt.
Thor Ebikes
Road legal, out of the box
Certified to EN 15194, delivered about 90% assembled and ready to ride after roughly 30 minutes of setup.
- Certified to EN 15194
- 1 year warranty
- Ships from Brisbane
- Afterpay or Zip available
Thor fat tyre E-Bikes
Legal in NSW now and after 2029
All four certified to EN 15194, with pedal assist that cuts out at 25 km/h.
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Thunder V29 Dual-Battery
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Thunder V20 Pro
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Pulse EB8 Step-Thru
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Questions
Common questions
Can police really crush my E-Bike?
Only if it's illegal and was used on a road, path or other public place in the past 28 days. NSW Police and Transport for NSW officers can seize it, and if no valid claim is made it's forfeited 15 days after seizure and crushed. A compliant, unmodified E-Bike isn't the target.
Is it crushed on the spot?
No. Seized bikes are stored first. Owners have 14 days to claim, and unclaimed bikes are forfeited 15 days after seizure. The first batch was seized on 11 September and crushed on 1 October.
My teenager rides an E-Bike. What happens if it's seized?
If the rider is under 16, a parent or guardian gets a copy of the seizure notice. The rider and their immediate family, including parents, can't claim the bike back, so check it's legal before they ride it.
Can a legal E-Bike still be stopped and tested?
Yes. Officers can stop and check an E-Bike they suspect is illegal, and the usual road rules still apply. A compliant, unmodified E-Bike passes the check. Keep your receipt and certificate somewhere safe in case you ever need them.
I bought it from a shop. Doesn't that make it legal?
No. Shops can sell E-Bikes for private property use, and the government says a bike that doesn't meet the rules can be crushed even if it was bought by mistake. In NSW, look for a green "EN 15194 compliant" tag on the listing.
I have a 500W E-Bike. Is it illegal now?
If it meets today's NSW rules, you can keep riding it until 28 February 2029. From 1 March 2029, only EN 15194 E-Bikes will be legal on NSW roads and paths.
What about fat tyre E-Bikes?
The law tests the motor, not the tyres. A fat tyre E-Bike is judged on the same power, 25 km/h and 6 km/h limits as any other. Ours are certified to EN 15194.
Is there a minimum riding age in NSW?
Not yet. An expert review has recommended an age between 12 and 16, but the government hasn't set one. Queensland already requires riders to be 16 or older with at least a learner licence, unless supervised or exempt.
Sources
- Transport for NSW, E-Bikes (read 5 Oct 2026)
- NSW Government, first batch of illegal E-Bikes crushed (1 Oct 2026)
- NSW Government, illegal E-Bike riders on notice (28 May 2026)
- NSW Government, seizure and crushing powers to become law (24 Mar 2026)
- NSW Police, Northern Beaches operation (12 Sep 2026)
- NSW Parliament, Legislative Council Hansard (26 Mar 2026)
- NSW Parliament, Legislative Council Hansard (26 May 2026)
- NSW Parliament, Legislative Assembly Hansard (27 May 2026)
- NSW Parliament, Legislative Assembly Hansard (28 May 2026)
- Legal Aid NSW, police powers to take and crush illegal E-Bikes (Aug 2026)
- NSW Government, E-Bike FAQs (23 Sep 2026)
- Queensland Police, Operation Yankee Surety (2 Oct 2026)
- Queensland Government, crushing begins (14 Sep 2026)
- ABC News, illegal E-Bikes seized and destroyed (1 Oct 2026)
Last checked 5 October 2026. Rules change, so check the official source before you ride.
