A police crackdown on illegal e-bikes across Sydney’s Northern Beaches has sparked heated debate after officers seized 36 vehicles under new laws used for the first time.
NSW Police, working with Transport for NSW, carried out operations in Manly, Curl Curl, Dee Why and Avalon on Friday, focusing on illegal, modified and high-powered e-bikes.
Introduced on August 21, the new laws give authorities the power to seize and destroy illegal e-bikes, non-registerable vehicles and unregistered vehicles being used in public areas.
Among the vehicles confiscated was an e-bike allegedly capable of exceeding 90km/h. Police said it was taken from a 14-year-old boy in Warriewood.
Officers also issued 16 penalty notices and delivered 46 cautions during the operation, including for helmet violations and mobile phone offences.
The enforcement campaign quickly divided opinion online, with some Australians questioning why police were targeting e-bikes rather than focusing on crimes they considered more serious.
“Surely there are far more serious offences demanding our attention… thieves, organised crime, NDIS fraud, drug dealers and violent offenders to name just a few,” one person wrote.
Another commenter said: “Chasing hard core criminals right there guys. God forbid you actually chase the bad guys.”
Police have seized 36 illegal e-bikes across four Sydney Northern Beaches suburbs, marking the first use of new seizure laws introduced last month.
“Why aren’t they chasing illegal firearms instead of recreational bikes? I suppose it’s much easier than fighting real crime,” a third person said.
However, others said the focus should be on dangerous riders and modified vehicles rather than people using standard e-bikes responsibly.
“Taking the bikes away from the hoons, not regular riders, is what matters,” one commenter said.
‘The seizing of modified e-bikes is like seizing modified high performance cars from everyone regardless of their driving behaviour.’
‘Fun police at it again. The answer should not be taking the bikes away but make individuals accountable,’ a second said.
‘People doing the wrong thing should be fined and or treated appropriately, but leave the rest of the community alone regardless of their bikes!’ a third said.
Many also praised authorities for keeping the roads safe.
‘Excellent work, none of us are allowed unregistered uninsured and unlicensed on our roads for good reason. Thank goodness common sense has prevailed,’ one said.
NSW Police and Transport for NSW officers swept through Manly, Curl Curl, Dee Why and Avalon on Friday, targeting illegal, modified and high-powered e-bike use
Aussies were left divided over the crackdown on social media, with some questioning why authorities were targeting e-bikes instead of tackling more pressing crimes
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Are police right to seize illegal e-bikes, or should they focus on more serious crimes instead?
‘About time, keep pressure on. We do and pay for the right things and have the privilege to be on roads and so they should,’ a second said.
‘What a wonderful job done by the police. Great work lads and ladies of the force,’ another said.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, reminded riders to check their e-bikes met legal requirements.
‘Riders need to ensure their e-bike complies with legislation and that when they ride that they comply with the rules about where they can and cannot ride their e-bikes,’ he said.
‘Most e-bike riders do the right thing and comply with the rules; however, police will enforce with new legislation if people ride non-compliant vehicles.’
Transport Secretary Josh Murray acknowledged that most riders were doing the right thing on the road, but said those who did not were endangering other road users.
‘We are serious about e-bike safety and operations like this will continue by NSW Police with support from Transport for NSW to ensure all road users are safe and complying with the state’s upgraded laws,’ he said.
‘E-bikes must behave like bicycles, not motorcycles, so if your bike can operate like a motorcycle under throttle or go more than 25km an hour while being powered, it is not legal to ride in public.
‘Before you or your child jumps on an e-bike, please make sure it’s road-legal, otherwise you risk losing the bike.’
Data released by Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital in February showed there were 200 e-bike-related injuries requiring a response from their trauma team last year.
Serious injuries from e-bikes had doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year, with almost 10 per cent requiring intensive care treatment.
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