Recommendations and next steps
As reported in the recent article Pushing back: E-bike ban on NSW trains, Bicycle NSW was alerted to a quiet proposal to implement a blanket ban e-bikes and other electric mobility devices from public transport a few weeks ago.
CEO Peter McLean swiftly relayed our Members’ concerns to the Transport Minister, and strongly advocated for a period of public consultation.
And the NSW Government listened. A three-week period of engagement ran from 13 August to 3 September 2025.
"This has been very important for several reason,” said Peter. “Firstly, the consultation has delayed the start of any ban.
“Secondly, it has enabled Bicycle NSW to canvas our friends and Members to gather key information to support policy development.
“Thirdly, this window has allowed Transport for NSW to listen a wide range of stakeholders – not only transport unions and workers, but also bike riders, train passengers, food delivery workers and people from all over NSW who rely on combining e-bikes with trains for efficient, sustainable trips for work, recreations and education.
“Finally, we have now positioned Bicycle NSW at the forefront of the conversation with four recommendations for workable solutions that balance risk appropriately.”
Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean at Museum station in Sydney’s CBD. Peter travels in from the south western suburbs where e-bikes play a critical role in filling the gaps in public transport networks (Image: Bicycle NSW)
What we heard from the Bicycle NSW survey
Bicycle NSW received over 800 responses to our survey which aimed to clarify how, why and where Members use their e-bikes.
490, or 61%, or respondents were 60 years of age and over. 65% were male. This is representative of both e-bike users and the Bicycle NSW audience.
A significantly majority of respondents were from Greater Sydney. However, many e-bike riders from the Kiama and Central Coast areas filled in the survey, concerned about the loss of critical multi-modal transport options.
Respondents ride e-bikes for a variety of different reasons. 43% highlighted that their e-bike is essential to connect and extend their public transport journeys.
Many responses indicated that the e-bike is an important transport mode for getting to work, shopping or university, as well as being used for health and wellbeing. 690 people, or 86% of the audience, ride e-bikes for social, recreational or exercise purposes.
The key reasons for riding an e-bike for the Bicycle NSW audience (Image: Bicycle NSW)
185 respondents, or 23% of the audience, said they rode an e-bike or e-device due to specific mobility issues, a disability or a chronic illness.
The main reasons for taking e-bikes on trains are: to connect the stations with both home and the final destination (330 responses), to avoid leaving a valuable e-bike at a station with no secure bike parking (150) and to greatly extend the range for recreational rides (605).
A significant proportion of the respondents, 35% or 285, planned to do the Spring Cycle or the Gong Ride with an e-bike. A similar number are considering a e-bike for these rides.
The top e-bike brands owned by the surveyed riders are predominantly reputable brands meeting the EN15194 or UL4849 standards. Just over two-thirds of respondents owned one of the top 10 brands. These are all extremely safe.
Continuous engagement with NSW Government
Bicycle NSW has been involved in regular formal and informal meetings with senior Transport for NSW staff and the Minister’s Office to discuss potential policy settings.
A fortnightly Ministerial Reference Group has been established to bring together a very wide range of voices, including retailers, share bike operators, the food delivery companies, transport unions, policy experts, transport workers and advocacy groups.
“It is very encouraging to hear that other jurisdictions are now looking to NSW for smart and sensible solutions that will enable them to lift blanket bans,” said Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. “In many places, bans have been hastily imposed with numerous unintended consequences.
“Bicycle NSW hopes that the NSW Government will take its time to develop a balanced and risk-based approach to any restrictions on traveling on trains and metro with e-bikes and other micromobility devices.”
Bicycle NSW and Committee for Sydney joint report
Bicycle NSW has 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.
An extract from Why we can't hit the brakes for e-bikes on trains with a summary of our four key recommendations (Image: Bicycle NSW / Committee for Sydney)
These measures could be implemented very quickly. They would address the main risks while ensuring safe and complaint e-bikes continue to have access to trains.
Formal submission to the NSW Government
Bicycle NSW has subsequently written a more detailed letter to the Transport Minister. This submission includes additional information on these recommendations and sets out the impact of any ban the bicycle-riding community.
We also made further suggestions for policy and investment.
“We have stressed that concerns around unsafe devices on trains will not be addressed by an indiscriminate ban,” said Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. “Instead, these concerns must turbocharge NSW Government efforts to progress holistic reforms that would resolve many of the issues that have held back the safe use of micromobility – education, lack of infrastructure, piecemeal regulation and, above all, insufficient import standards.”
Positive progress on stemming the import of dangerous products
At the end of July, the peak bicycle advocacy organisations, including Bicycle NSW, wrote a joint letter to the Australian Government, asking for strict standards to be applied to all e-bikes imported into Australia, and national consistency in the e-bike definition.
Dr Sophie Scamps, Member for Mackellar, has now tabled a Road Vehicle Standards Amendment (Safer E?Bikes) Bill 2025 in Canberra. The bill calls for reinstatement of the EN15194 standard for e-bikes imported to Australia and compulsory statements of compliance by all importers.
Although Private Members’ Bills often struggle to receive the backing of the government, they play an important role in highlighting issues and pressuring all parties to work towards solutions.
Bicycle NSW has long advocated for the Australian Government to control the importation of poor quality, over-powered e-bikes and scooters and we are delighted that new legislation is finally being discussed in Parliament House.
What you can do to help keep e-bikes on track
Bicycle NSW has a seat at the table of all levels of government. Our small team is dedicated to making NSW better for bike riding. We have your back but we need your assistance!
Become a Member today and support our advocacy for better policy and regulation for e-mobility.
Our Members also ride easy, covered by our comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member-only benefits.
If you are not ready to join the Bicycle NSW family, then we would love you to make a donation to the Australian Bicycle Advocacy Fund.
