The NSW Government will award up to 200,000 AUD per council to create marked e-bike parking bays and zones, funded by a 60-cent-per-trip levy on shared e-bikes administered by Transport for NSW.

Officials, including the transport minister, say the aim is to restore pedestrian space and order on footpaths, not to curb the uptake of shared mobility.

The plan establishes designated parking bays and kerbside zones to reduce clutter, protect pedestrians, and support a broader licensing and enforcement framework.

At launch, 16 councils will participate, including the City of Sydney, Inner West, Burwood, and Parramatta, with operators facing fines up to 55,000 AUD and daily penalties of 5,000 AUD for non-compliance, and potential revocation of approval.

Regulatory challenges are noted nationwide, with recent actions in other states and incidents involving e-bike riders, underscoring the push for coordinated regulation.

Authorities have powers to seize and crush private e-bikes that exceed 25 km/h, while the minimum rider age has yet to be decided.

Sydney has seen a rapid rise in shared e-bikes, growing from about 13,000 in January to over 20,000 by May, contributing to crowded footpaths and ‘wild west’ scenes.

The package includes additional safety measures: powers to seize illegal privately-owned e-bikes, reducing power limits to 250W, a proposed minimum rider age, stricter battery safety standards, and a Strike Force Puma to target dangerous rideouts.

The reform aims to create a nationwide framework for e-bikes, enabling councils and land managers to enforce parking zones and penalties, with a clear 250W power limit and age considerations.

Sixteen local councils are involved in the program, with authority to revoke operator approvals for non-compliance.

The rollout follows a safety crackdown on e-bikes after injuries and incidents, including a mass ride across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this year.

Each participating council can receive up to 200,000 AUD to nominate and paint marked parking areas in zones with high conflict as part of the broader rollout.