Independent Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby has introduced her Private Member’s Bill to the NSW Parliament to tackle e-bike safety through licensing and registration, education and accountability.
The Road Legislation Amendment (E-Bike Regulation) Bill 2025 redefines e-Bikes as legally different from pushbikes, and expands the Minister’s powers to allow licensing and registration, limits speeds on footpaths, and collects the data needed to inform future policy.
“The premise is simple: If you drive a motorised bike you should know the road rules and be able to be held to account for complying with them.”
Drawing on Pittwater’s experience with boat licensing, Ms Scruby said the model demonstrates how young people can learn responsibility early.
“In Pittwater we have 12-year-olds driving boats with respect for the rules and risks, we need the same for use of e-Bikes. We have boat licences because we recognise the dangers of being on the water and we should do the same for e-bike riders on our roads.”
Ms Scruby said the Government’s current approach focuses too heavily on punitive measures without properly considering practical safety reforms.
“It’s ludicrous to believe you can seize and crush your way out of the e-bike problem.
“Licensing and registration are being ignored by the NSW Government, but it is the missing link in addressing dangerous riding and supports insurance that protects those injured by bikes - like a Northern Beaches resident who is now facing $30,000 in medical costs following a recent accident.”
Ms Scruby believes that if bikes had number plates, rideouts causing damage to property such as the Longreef Golf Course, wouldn’t occur, or if they did, it would be easy for police to investigate.
“There is a lot of anti-social and illegal behaviour that can happen on a legal e-Bike and without registration, there’s limited opportunity for enforcement or to deter behaviour.”
“It’s not that hard. We already have trials of education and license plates like E-bike Safety Australia currently being undertaken at high schools like St Luke’s Dee Why and Cronulla High.”
Matthew Rog, Director, from Ebike Safety Australia, which runs training and registration programs in schools, including St Lukes Grammar School on the Northern Beaches, is backing the legislation.
“Education and visible identification (through registration) are the missing pieces in improving e-bike safety. Supporting structured training, accountability and better data collection will help young riders develop safer habits and give communities the confidence that future decisions will be based on real evidence. I support Ms. Scruby on this bill,” he said.