Manly was among the first Northern Beaches communities included in a joint e-bike operation under new seizure laws, giving riders a clearer picture of what can happen when a bike does not meet NSW requirements.
New Powers Reach Manly Streets
Police and Transport for NSW officers patrolled Manly, Curl Curl, Dee Why and Avalon on Friday, 11 September 2026, targeting illegal, modified and high-powered e-bikes.
The four areas had been identified following recent incidents of illegal, dangerous and reckless e-bike use across the Northern Beaches.
Across the wider operation, police seized 36 e-bikes and issued 16 penalty notices and 46 cautions for offences including helmet and mobile phone breaches.
It was the first joint operation of its kind since expanded powers to seize and dispose of illegal e-bikes became enforceable on 21 August 2026.
For Manly riders, the operation also demonstrated how suspected non-compliant bikes can now be checked. Officers used a portable dynamometer to test power and speed, with three of the seized bikes found to be non-compliant through the testing process.
When An E-Bike Stops Being Road-Legal
Under current NSW requirements, a legal e-bike can have up to 500 watts of maximum continuous rated power.
Throttle-only assistance must cut out at 6km/h, while powered assistance during pedalling must stop above 25km/h. A bike that exceeds those limits is illegal even if its additional speed or power can be restricted by an app, switch, code or other software.
Those requirements sit alongside the usual bicycle road rules. E-bike riders must wear approved helmets and comply with restrictions on mobile phone use when riding.
Police and Transport for NSW officers also used the Northern Beaches patrols to speak with riders and carry out community education alongside enforcement.
What Happens After A Bike Is Seized
The new laws mean an illegal e-bike can now be taken off the road rather than simply attracting a penalty.
Owners of bikes seized during the operation have 14 days to notify police if a bike had been stolen and was being used by somebody else at the time. After that period, seized illegal bikes are set to be destroyed.
The Manly checks were part of a wider operation that also found an e-bike at Warriewood which police alleged could exceed 90km/h. It had been ridden by a 14-year-old boy. A food delivery rider was also stopped with a bike police alleged had been modified and was non-compliant.
Similar operations are expected to continue, with riders being advised to check that their e-bikes meet NSW requirements before using them on public roads and paths.
Published 12-September-2026
