NSW Introduces Minimum Age And Tough New Safety Standards For E-Bikes

After months of mounting concern around high-powered e-bikes on footpaths and suburban streets, the NSW Government is moving to tighten the rules—introducing a minimum age for riders and adopting a strict European safety standard in a bid to bring clarity (and calm) to the state’s rapidly growing e-bike scene.

Announced on 20 February, the reforms form part of what the Minns Government is calling a staged approach to safer streets. With an estimated 760,000 e-bikes now in use across NSW, officials say the popularity of the devices has outpaced the regulatory framework meant to govern them.

What Is The New Minimum Age For Riding An E-Bike In NSW?

Under current road rules, children of any age can legally ride an e-bike in NSW. That’s set to change.

An expert review led by Transport for NSW will determine a legal minimum riding age—likely somewhere between 12 and 16—while also assessing whether young riders should be permitted to carry passengers.

The review will consult child development and road safety experts, including the NSW Office for Youth and Young People, and gather feedback directly from families before handing recommendations to the Ministers for Transport and Roads by June. A final decision on age limits and passenger rules will follow.

NSW E-Bike Laws 2026: What’s Changing?

The minimum age proposal builds on a broader package of reforms already underway.

These include expanded powers for NSW Police to seize and crush illegal high-powered bikes, roadside compliance checks using portable speed-testing devices, and new lithium-ion battery standards aimed at reducing the risk of e-bike and e-scooter fires.

The government has also reversed a 2023 decision that allowed 500-watt e-bikes on NSW roads, signalling a shift toward tighter regulation of higher-powered devices.

At the centre of the shake-up is the adoption of the European safety standard (EN15194), which NSW will introduce in March.

Under this benchmark:

• E-bikes must have a maximum power output of 250 watts
• Pedal assistance must cut out at 25km/h
• No power assistance is delivered beyond 6km/h unless the rider is actively pedalling

The standard also includes anti-tampering protections, as well as stricter battery, electrical and fire-safety requirements.

NSW will join Western Australia in enforcing the EU framework, drawing a clearer line between compliant e-bikes and illegal high-powered devices that function more like motorbikes.

When Do The New E-Bike Rules Start In NSW?

While the EU safety standard will be adopted in March, the government has introduced a three-year transition period for riders who purchased 500-watt e-bikes legally under previous rules.

From 1 March 2029, only e-bikes that meet the European standard will be road legal in NSW.

Officials say the timeframe reflects the typical lifespan of an e-bike and gives households, retailers and manufacturers time to adjust. Retailers will also be required to clearly state whether a bike complies with the EU standard before sale.

Are 500-Watt E-Bikes Illegal In NSW?

For now, many 500-watt e-bikes remain legal during the transition period.

However, once the grace period ends in 2029, only e-bikes that comply with the 250-watt European standard will be permitted on NSW roads and paths.

The reforms aim to preserve e-bikes as an accessible transport option, while phasing out higher-powered devices that pose increased safety risks.

Transport Minister John Graham said the changes are designed to balance encouraging active transport with improving safety, particularly for younger riders. Police Minister Yasmin Catley pointed to frontline concerns about misuse of high-powered bikes, while Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison emphasised the importance of ensuring riders are physically and cognitively capable of handling heavier, faster devices.

With more than three-quarters of a million e-bikes already in circulation, NSW is now attempting to reset the rules—tightening standards without sidelining a transport option many households have already embraced.

Image credit: Tenways eBike | Instagram