Transforming transport with e-mobility

Electric-assisted bicycles and other micromobility devices have enormous potential to decarbonise our cities

They can also improve urban amenity, reduce the burden of congestion, provide affordable transport for people of all ages and abilities, add incidental exercise into sedentary lives and put big smiles on our faces!

E-bikes are still overlooked in favour of electric cars, despite the much lower entry price and countless other benefits for the environment and public health. E-bikes use 1/40th the energy of electric vehicles, and only cost 15c to charge, using a regular power point.

We are working with all levels of government to develop sensible policy and legislations for e-bike batteries, amend road rules, and establish education programs across the state. We want e-mobility to reach its full potential while keeping riders and other road users safe.

The 2024 parliamentary inquiry

Following detailed consultation with a range of industry, advocacy and council stakeholders, Bicycle NSW drafted a Position Statement on E-Bike Regulation to guide our advocacy. This work informed our detailed response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options in August 2024. We made 24 recommendations to NSW Government. The overarching message? The #bikeboom must not be put back in the box.  Changes to the regulatory framework must aim to expand the industry and enable more riders, of all ages, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds, to use micromobility on the road to Net Zero. Read our submission here.

Bicycle NSW also made a submission in collaboration with WeRide to the National EV Strategy, advocating for the explicit inclusion of e-bike, e-cargo bikes and emerging forms of micromobility.

Fighting to maintain access for e-bikes on trains

In 2025, the NSW Government proposed to ban e-bikes and other micromobility devices from Sydney Metro and all heavy rail. Bicycle NSW responded with strong advocacy for a balanced and risk-based policy that minimises fire risk while allowing the majority of e-bike users to continue combining public transport with cycling.

After securing a period pubic consultation, Bicycle NSW collaborated with Committee for Sydney to develop four clear recommendations for an immediate pathway forward. These are set out in the our joint report, Why we can't hit the brakes for e-bikes on trains.

In the medium- and longer-term, we urge NSW Government to turbocharge holistic reforms to resolve fire risk alongside many of the issues that have held back the growth of micromobility – education, lack of infrastructure, piecemeal regulation and, above all, insufficient import standards.

The need for subsidies

It is essential that e-bikes are included in the in the discussion on vehicle subsidies. Subsiding e-bikes is much cheaper than subsidising EVs and a subsidised e-bike is affordable for far more people. This is a key ask for the Bicycle NSW 2025 federal election campaign.

There are many schemes around the world that should provide inspiration for state and federal governments. There are over 300 tax-incentive and purchase-premium schemes for across the globe offered by national, regional and local authorities. In late 2023, Tasmania launched e-bike subsidies. Adelaide has now followed.

We will continue to campaign for economic incentives for mode shift in NSW.