First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

0:00It's March 24th. Welcome to Sydney News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. New South Wales is rolling out stricter rules for e-bikes to boost safety on the roads. Starting this month, new e-bikes must follow European standards with a maximum power output of 250 watts. Pedalysis cuts off at 25 km per hour, and it stops completely after 6 km per hour without pedaling. These changes aim to keep e-bikes filling more like bicycles than motorbikes, especially with over 700,000 of them zipping around the state. Earlier this year, the state had a 500 watt limit, but many high-powered bikes over 1,000 watts were already illegal and causing. Headaches with speeds and fires. Now, retailers have to label bikes clearly if they meet the new standards, and there's a three-year transition for existing owners. By March 1st, 2029, only compliant e-bikes will be legal on public roads. Local bike advocates like those from bicycle news south Wales say the rules target future

1:02sales mostly, without punishing folks who bought safe bikes. Before, they worry about young riders losing independence, but agree safer bikes mean less risk. Meanwhile, police have slammed teens doing stunts on powerful e-bikes, like wheelies over the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The government is also eyeing a minimum age for riders, likely between 12 and 16 years old, to match the heavier, faster nature of these. Bikes. A review wraps up in June, weighing if kids can safely carry passengers too. Official stress this will cut crash risks for everyone. Roadside testing units and seizure powers for souped-up models are coming online, alongside calls for education over just punishment. These steps should make e-biking safer without killing its popularity.