23 illegal e-bikes destroyed in Australia — ABC News Australia
In Western Sydney, Australia, 23 e-bikes that did not meet the established requirements were turned into scrap metal at a car recycling yard in Blacktown. The bikes were seized in Sydney's Northern Beaches area under new police powers to confiscate and dispose of non-compliant e-bikes, ABC News Australia reports.
New police powers
Previously, police could seize and destroy powerful illegal e-bikes, but first had to obtain a court order for their confiscation. Earlier this year, the New South Wales government expanded the powers of police and the Transport for NSW agency to simplify the use of these measures.
Transport Minister John Graham said the destroyed batch was the first to be crushed since the legislative changes were introduced. He urged riders not to alter the construction of e-bikes and warned that vehicles with excessive power or speed, as well as modified bikes, could be seized and destroyed.
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Under Transport for NSW rules, a legal e-bike must have a maximum continuous power output of 500 watts. If a person is not pedalling, the motor function must switch off at a speed of 6 km/h. The bike must also not exceed 25 km/h.
Injury data
Dr Ed Lewis, acting director of rehabilitation medicine at St Vincent's Hospital, said that about 42% of patients with e-bike-related injuries required trauma care. Injuries for which people seek hospital treatment include head injuries, internal bleeding and organ perforations. According to him, the most severe cases are linked to not wearing a helmet, high speed, or riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network said the number of children seeking help for e-bike or e-scooter injuries has increased more than fourfold compared with 2023. This year, 183 children presented to Westmead and Randwick hospitals. About one in five presentations involved a serious injury requiring intensive care, surgery and lengthy recovery.
