Media Statement - 22 September 2025

Bike riders across the state are celebrating today as the transport minister announced a softening of the proposed ban on e-bikes on Sydney Trains to include only modified e-bikes.

Ward 1 Wollongong Greens Councillor Jess Whittaker said:

“This is a win for common sense. I’m so relieved the Transport Minister listened to the concerns of people who ride e-bikes, as this was clearly an over-reaction to the small risk of a fire on a train, something we have not seen happen in NSW.”

“I put up an Urgency Notice of Motion about this issue at the July Council meeting, because we said from the start this ban would unfairly impact young people, disabled people, delivery riders and the growing bike tourism industry. It would have been a disaster for Wollongong, especially as our newly adopted Transport Strategy promotes the growing uptake of using multiple forms of transport in a single journey.”

“As our city increases in density, we must continue to adopt policies that encourage less cars on the roads. Knowing you can head out on an e-bike, but use the train for a back up or for part of the journey is a big part of many people’s daily journey, and reduces the range anxiety some people feel with electric powered transportation.”