Newcastle e‑bike safety debate sparks call for stricter regulation

On 30 December 2025 a pedestrian in inner‑Newcastle was struck on a shared path by a 750 W e‑bike ridden by a 13‑year‑old, sustaining a permanent eye injury. The incident highlighted concerns after the 2021 removal of e‑bike standards from Australia’s Road Vehicle Standards Act and the 2023 NSW decision to raise the power limit from 250 W to 500 W.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry released its findings in 2025, prompting the state government to draft new laws, including a minimum age for young riders slated for June 2026. A roundtable convened by a local MP gathered cycling groups, universities, health services, council officials and environmental organisations. Participants debated whether tighter regulation would improve safety or hinder active‑transport initiatives, calling for separate pedestrian and cyclist paths, clearer age limits and stronger safety standards for e‑bikes.