The Illawarra Bicycle Users Group (IBUG) supports the safe and responsible use of e-bikes and e-mobility devices in the Illawarra and calls for evidence-based policy-making.
Support for Existing Laws
IBUG supports the existing NSW Governments laws in relation to e-bikes, that is:
- Powered 500 watts or less,
- Propelled by human power,
- Top speed of 25kmh.
IBUG does not support a reduction to a 250 watt power limit as being necessary and also recommends a review of the top speed and would support increasing this to 28khm or 30kmh to bring into line with typical cruising speeds on ordinary bicycles).
IBUG’s Position on “Fat Bikes”
IBUG recognises the popular new form of emobility in the form of throttle powered e-motor devices (or “fat bikes”) is having a transformative effect on transportation in the Illawarra.
IBUG recognises that the affordability and utility of these vehicles makes them an extremely attractive mode of transport for many residents of all ages.
While there are concerns about safety issues with these devices, they have a lot of positive aspects including:
- reducing the number of car trips on our roads, thereby
- reducing congestion and pollution on our roads, and
- reducing the unnecessary burning of fossil fuel;
- positive social and psychological benefits for people using them, with increased socialisation and fun for users.
- We also note the increasing use of these devices by family groups choosing to use them to get to and from school and work. We believe this is far preferable to those same trips being made by car and see this as a positive development for transport choice overall.
For these reasons IBUG does not support an outright ban on “Fat Bikes.”
IBUG also does not support the denigration of youth and the common use of disrespectful language being applied to youth who ride these devices, the vast majority of whom are enjoying the use of these vehicles, behaving appropriately and not riding dangerously, and who do not deserve to be targeted as troublemakers or delinquents.
We also contend the focus on safety concerns for these devices may be overstated in comparison to safety issues with cars and look forward to further research in this area. We note the road toll in Australia has been increasing among pedestrians and cyclists. For example, Road Deaths Australia – October 2025 reported a 38.2% annual increase in cyclist deaths.[1] We also note multiple research findings that increases in car size and factors such as brighter headlights are raising risk of injury and death for all road users.[2]
IBUG is concerned with the inappropriate use of bicycle deaths being used by media and government to promote support for stricter e-bike regulation and would like to see greater respect for those injured or killed in bicycle accidents.
Support for Registration and Licencing for Fat Bikes
IBUG supports the idea of a simple, light touch, registration and licensing system for these devices for riders aged 12 years and older who would be required to complete a safety, knowledge and behaviour education session and pay a one-off registration fee at the point of purchase.
IBUG would welcome the opportunity to help shape the government’s response to this important evolution in transport, and we contend that outright bans of Fat Bikes and other restrictions on new mobility devices is counterproductive to helping solve the crisis in excessive driving behaviour in the Illawarra.
With the recently released Wollongong Integrated Transport Strategy showing that the majority of trips of less than 1km are taken by car, we know that there is an urgent need to address our reliance on cars for short trips in our city, and it is evident these vehicles can play an important part in this transformation with appropriate settings.
IBUG’s support for other Key Safety Priorities
IBUG also urges the government to show genuine leadership in regard to true improvements to road safety with the adoption of:
- Reduced speed limits of 30kmh in suburban streets and in town centres.
- Removal of tax incentives that encourage the purchase of oversize vehicles which cause an unnecessary increase in risk of injury and death to other road users and pedestrians.
- 20% investment in quality cycling and active transport infrastructure as a percentage of overall transport investment by Transport for NSW.
For more information please contact:
- Edward Birt President, Illawarra Bicycle Users Group on 0448200894
[1] See https://datahub.roadsafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Road_deaths_Australia_Monthly_Bulletin_Oct2025_0.pdf
[2] See e.g. https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/06/big-cars-feel-safer-how-vehicle-size-impacts-others-crash and https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/are-car-headlights-too-bright-rule-changes.