Joint Media Release
Last night, Mona Vale Surf Club was filled with locals for a community forum on e-bike safety and regulation, hosted by local MPs Jacqui Scruby and Dr Sophie Scamps. The event brought together a panel including trauma specialists, representatives from the Northern Beaches Police, advocacy groups, a youth advocate, Transport for NSW and Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins.
Central themes of the discussion were:
- Previous policy failures resulting in inconsistent and ambiguous laws at Commonwealth and State Level:
- Changes made to importation laws by Kevin Hogan and Barnaby Joyce have led to the proliferation of bikes that can be easily unlocked with a code, transforming them from e-Bikes to unregistered mopeds in seconds. This then leads to dangerous driving on illegal e-bikes by unlicensed, often young drivers.
- Changes made by Natalie Ward and Rob Stokes mean NSW has inconsistent definition of e-Bikes than other jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth, leading to confusion in the market about what is legal and not legal.
- Education is critical as parents, young people and pedestrians feel they don’t know or understand the rules. Increased education is supported by police who are willing to play an active role in education.
- Police are limited by the complexity of the legislation and the Young Offenders Act and therefore there is an inherent enforcement gap.
- Licensing and registration delivered through schools has local support despite some stakeholders and TfNSW believing money is better spent on other initiatives such as infrastructure.
- Infrastructure is needed but funding to date from Federal and State governments has been woefully inadequate and despite strong opposition to e-Bikes on footpaths, communities often resist bike lanes.
- Keeping footpaths for pedestrians and under 16s with speed limits was strongly supported, with the deadly risks to pedestrians highlighted by the doctors on the panel. This is in stark contrast to the NSW Government’s intention to relax e-mobility on footpath laws which will fundamentally change how footpaths are used.
Ms Scruby noted that concerns relating to e-Bikes, particularly illegal bikes, and dangerous driving by young riders are one of the top issues received in correspondence to her office.
The NSW Government have released their e-Microbility Action Plan in 2024 and announced its commitment to promoting the uptake of e-rideables, the forum focused on the urgent need to address
“The Commonwealth needs to act immediately to address the key underlying issue - but equally we can’t sit idly and wait. There is value in making the act of unlocking an e-Bike to go 50km/hr illegal in NSW and for that to be clearly communicated to parents, students and riders along with clear guidance on where to ride and that pedestrians have right of way, the risks of injury, death and manslaughter charges.”
“Education, including advertising campaigns and engaging with young people is first and something I’m committed to lead in Pittwater. Following that, the limitations on enforcement must be resolved and planned for. In other jurisdictions illegal e-Bikes are confiscated, or parents are responsible for fines - those measures will send a clear message.”
“Dr Scamps will be leading the way in Federal Parliament to legislate to stop importers and retailers from selling e-bikes that can be so easily converted into mopeds with a code.”
“Months ago these specific issues relating to e-Bikes weren’t the focus of the NSW Government, but I feel that is changing due to continued pressure.”
“I’m very concerned that the NSW Government is seeking to relax footpath laws. People in Pittwater want the restrictions for under 16s only to remain and for a speed limit.”
“Licencing and registration bring education and accountability. If the NSW Government doesn’t want to support that system, Pittwater schools have expressed willingness to trial innovative youth licensing and registration programs and I’m committed to making that happen.”
“I’ve witnessed both adults and young people verbally abusing each other. Education for everyone about what the rules are will see a reduction in this and an increase in social etiquette.“
Education, with a strong focus on ensuring young riders and their parents clearly understand the rules before they get on an e-bike. Audience members, including concerned parents, said the rules are so complex that neither young riders nor their families can make sense of them, and warned of the dangers of young people riding powerful e-bikes unsafely, often off-road or in public spaces not designed for them. Panellists stressed the importance of stronger education programs in schools, clearer licensing pathways and tougher action against the import and sale of illegal high-powered e-bikes.
The forum highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of e-bikes, with strong agreement that clearer laws, better education and targeted enforcement must go hand in hand to keep the community safe.
The forum was an important opportunity to hear directly from the community and experts about the challenges e-bikes pose for both riders and pedestrians.
“It’s clear that education, clearer rules and tougher enforcement are all needed to keep everyone safe,” Jacqui Scruby, Member for Pittwarer said.
Dr Scamps echoed these concerns and set out a clear agenda for reform at the federal level of parliament.
“It’s a bit like the Wild West out there when it comes to e-bikes, but whether we like it or not they’re here to stay. The forum was about listening, learning and working together. We need to ensure that e-bikes are safe for everyone from pedestrians, riders and drivers. That’s where politicians need to step in.
“At the federal level there are some very clear changes that can be made which I’ll be calling for in a private members bill. These include nationally consistent standards and closing import loopholes that allow illegal, high powered, easily modifiable e-bikes into Australia,” shared Dr Scamps.
Ms Scruby said: “I will continue to work with schools, Transport for NSW, advocacy groups and local leaders to develop practical solutions that protect riders, pedestrians and the wider community while allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of e-bikes safely. Forums like this are vital, and I will keep engaging with the community to ensure everyone’s voices help shape effective policy and safety measures.”
She will be pushing for education trials in local schools as soon as possible: “I think there's a real opportunity to trial education programs with licensing in our local schools, so that we teach kids the risks and rules. Once you sort that federal problem of the bikes being able to be unlocked too easily, then maybe we won't need much enforcement after all.”
“This is a whole of community call for action to create a culture which supports riding e-bikes as a safe transport option,” added Dr Scamps.
As independents, both Scruby and Scamps will be taking the lead on these reforms which have been long neglected by the major parties at both levels of government.