Boomers on bikes targeted alongside younger riders

New legislation will grant police and transport officers the power to test, seize and destroy illegal high-powered e-bikes across New South Wales, as communities grapple with how the rapidly growing technology fits into shared public spaces.

The Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026 targets throttle-only e-motorbikes and modified devices that exceed legal speed limits in public spaces.

 

 

The crackdown will target all demographics, with enforcement focused on behaviour and compliance rather than age.

Research from Monash University Accident Research Centre shows e-bike injuries occur across all age groups, from baby boomers through to Gen Alpha, although rates are highest among younger riders.

The laws allow authorities to conduct roadside testing to determine if a device exceeds the legal 25km/h limit for pedal-assisted power.

New South Wales is the first Australian jurisdiction to introduce dedicated roadside testing units for this purpose.

Under the regulations, any device failing to meet the legal definition of an e-bike, including those with excessive power output or modified limiters, may be destroyed.

 

 

The changes come amid growing concern that footpaths and shared spaces are no longer safe for pedestrians. Concerns extend beyond illegal devices, with residents pointing to how even legal e-bikes are being ridden at speed in pedestrian areas.

Laws vary between states, but in New South Wales adults are generally not permitted to ride on footpaths unless supervising a child, while riders on shared paths must give way to pedestrians.

Legal e-bikes are also limited to pedal-assist with motor support cutting out at 25km/h, with strict limits on motor power under national standards.

Online debate points to a national issue, with no clear agreement on who the worst offenders are, as blame shifts between groups.

One commenter wrote, “With 2 full scale wars going on right now in the world. Australia has its sights set on the kids and their ebikes.”

Another said, “Anyone also interested in banning boomers on electric bikes that ride at 40 km … Who also don’t believe they need to ring their bells to warn pedestrians in front of them.”

A parent wrote, “It’s scary the amount of times my kids have nearly been hit. It’s not hard to ring a bell and warn people you’re coming through. Young children don’t all have great spatial awareness, an adult on a bike at that pace could do pretty brutal damage to a 20kg kid.”

Another commenter wrote, “I always tell my children to be alert for boomers on e-bikes before we leave the house, it’s really stressful walking along the foreshore.”

 

 

Tweed Shire Council mayor Chris Cherry said the council welcomed the state action as a direct response to the concerns of local residents.

“Our community has made it very clear that they want to feel safe on our shared pathways, in our town centres and in our neighbourhoods,” Cherry said.

“This legislation reflects what residents across the Tweed have been telling us, and we are glad the state government has listened.”

The legislative shift follows a community meeting held at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre on March 13, where residents raised concerns regarding safety.

Attendees reported e-bikes being ridden at dangerous speeds on footpaths, through shopping centres and in areas used by families.

The meeting was hosted by the NSW member for Tweed Geoff Provest and supported by both the council and Tweed-Byron Police.

 

 

Cherry said the community was not opposed to the technology but wanted to ensure respect for shared spaces.

“What came through at that meeting was a community that wants to get this right,” Cherry said.

The state government is now advising parents to ensure any e-bike purchased for a child meets legal requirements before it is used on public roads or pathways, noting that not all models sold in retail stores meet the legal standards required for use in New South Wales.

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