NSW considering plan to halve power and top speed of ebikes as rider dies in collision with garbage truck | New South Wales

NSW is considering a plan to halve the maximum power and top speed of e-bikes after a rider died in a collision with a garbage truck in central Sydney.

NSW police have also urged parents considering buying e-bikes as Christmas gifts for their children to choose legal bikes rather than more powerful and dangerous models.

NSW premier Chris Minns told 2GB radio on Tuesday morning that the state government was considering a “significant change” to the maximum power of legal e-bikes in response to concerns raised before the latest death.

Minns said the government currently allows e-bikes with up to 500 watts of power on the roads. New rules, if put forward, would limit this to 250 watts. He said:

“We spend a lot of time on the roads in my job and we see some children riding bikes that look more like motorcycles,” the Prime Minister said. “They can go as fast as a car and people can get injured as a result.”

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“This means the highest you can travel is currently 50 to 60 kilometers per hour. This will drop further.” [under proposed new rules] Up to 25 to 30 km/h.”

Minns said he expects the change could be made through regulation, not legislation, in the coming months.

“We need to make a change and we want to make it,” he said.

An e-bike rider died after colliding with a garbage truck at Ultimo in inner Sydney at around 6am on Tuesday, NSW police said.

The driver, in his 30s, was treated by paramedics at the scene but died. The 28-year-old truck driver was hospitalized for mandatory testing.

Police located the crime scene and launched an investigation. No charges were made.

NSW police on Tuesday urged parents to buy only legal e-bikes for their children for Christmas this year, saying officers were cracking down on modified bikes and dangerous riding.

David Driver, deputy commander of traffic and highway patrol, said parents had a responsibility to ensure no alterations were made to any purchases and to ensure their children could cycle safely before hitting the road or trail.

“Don’t be pressured by your kids, peers or salespeople to buy the most powerful bike,” he said in a statement. “Police do not want anyone to make a mistake that could cost them their life or cause serious injury.

“We have seen more modified bikes and powerful engines being installed. We need riders to understand the dangers of riding on one wheel without a helmet or in the dark without lights.”

He said parents need to be aware of how easy it can be to modify an e-bike.