Take them away, crush them': Australia faces an ebike surge that some say poses a health emergency

"[Illegal ebikes] are a total menace on the road, the health minister, Mark Butler, said on Friday. Kids have done stupid things on bikes ever since the penny-farthing [but] the injuries that are coming into our hospital emergency departments are absolutely devastating. We've got to make sure we stop these things coming into the country [and] police are given the powers to crack down, to take them away, to crush them, to destroy them."

"Ebikes have been hailed as a climate-friendly solution to city traffic congestion, transport emissions and even youth social media addiction, offering Australians a means to get more exercise and save money. But they have come with a cost and even taken lives. The state of New South Wales recorded 226 injuries related to ebikes in 2024. In just the first seven months of 2025, that had already to surged to 233 injuries plus four deaths."

"Boucher bought his in late 2025 with savings from a part-time job. Most of his grade has started riding to school, cutting commutes to just 10 minutes, he said. It's just easier to get around, the Manly student said. Suddenly everyone seems to have one: [there's] so much hype, he said. But he is also aware of the dangers. I see these tiny kids riding them and I think that's dangerous because they don't understand road rules or anything, Boucher said."

After a swarm of about 40 ebikes and e-motorcycles on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Australian government described the situation as a real emergency. Health minister Mark Butler labelled illegal ebikes a menace and urged powers for police to seize and destroy them, citing devastating emergency-department injuries. Ebikes are promoted as climate-friendly and reduce commutes, but injuries and fatalities have risen sharply. New South Wales recorded 226 ebike-related injuries in 2024 and 233 injuries plus four deaths in the first seven months of 2025. Queensland reported 239 crashes in 2025, including four fatalities. Teenagers report greater independence but concerns persist about inexperienced young riders.

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