E-bike riders doing the right thing at Cronulla. Picture by Murray Trembath

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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I am writing to thank the NSW and federal government for all their efforts with the e-bikes situation, and share with the public.

Although, I am completely sympathetic with the community, in the frustrating long timeframe for this democratic process to occur.

As a person who walks on footpaths daily, I experience the frustrations with some individuals on e-bikes.

For those e-bike riders that give way, slow down, show respect and treat people like a human being, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for not being like some other e-bike riders on footpaths.

The efforts I refer too are:

1) The Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026 is with NSW parliament currently. I hope all parties can give bipartisan support when parliament sits next in May 2026 to approve these much needed changes and pass this bill.

2) In March 2026 The NSW Government brought the maximum power of e-bikes back to 250W in line with other jurisdictions in Australia.

3) From February 2026, all e-bikes sold in NSW (or sold into NSW from other states) need to be certified.

4) In December 2025, the federal government strengthened import regulations with the European safety standards (EN 15194) to introduce stricter non-voluntary speed limits of 25km/hr maximum and anti-tampering clauses.

5) In November 2025 the NSW Government banned converted e-bikes (regular bikes retrofitted with motor/battery kits) from Sydney Trains.

6) In November 2025 the NSW Government passed the Road Transport and Other Legislation Amendment (Micromobility Vehicles and Smartcards Bill 2025) for a stronger regulatory framework to support good community outcomes in relation to the provision of shared devices.

7) In May 2025 The NSW Government brought improved battery safety by increasing regulation to fix safety issues and fires with poor-quality Lithium-ion batteries.

8) Many more changes but on a smaller scale to the above, have occurred by Transport NSW and other NSW and Federal departments.

David Shaw, Caringbah

E-BIKES ON OVALS

Can I please ask when Sutherland Shire Council intends to act on e-bikes on sporting ovals?

Surely it is merely a simple matter of signage stating that e-bikes are not permitted on the playing surfaces of sporting fields and ovals with fines to apply.

In particular, Oyster Bay Oval appears to be the meeting place through social media for the congregation of a large number of e-bikes day and night.

They are ridden across the oval erratically and at speed with young children training seemingly taunting anybody to take action.

Council sits back and as per usual and similarly with dogs off leash totally ignoring the increasing problem until something major occurs.

These bikes, the reckless manner in which they are ridden and the damage caused to oval surfaces is most frustrating and the lack of any positive action by Council even more so.

RAH (name supplied), Oyster Bay

APPALLING IDEA

Sutherland Shire Council's proposal to rezone our beautiful waterways, to reduce the amount of natural foreshores to highly developed private marinas, kiosks, boat storage and boatsheds for wealthy waterfront owners was an appalling idea.

It made no sense.

Northern beaches Council is similar to the Shire. They have the beautiful Pittwater, Middle Cove and Narrabeen Lagoon. However, they are protecting their waterways, with most of them zoned as W1 Natural.

Why did our council consider not protecting the Shire's waterways and throwing good rate dollars after bad for a planning proposal that was only supported by a handful of of property owners who would directly benefit?

They should have talked to the community, who have rejected this type of development before.

Think about the future of our waterways, the sea grass beds, fish nursery migratory birdlife, riparian vegetation, rising sea levels, clean clear water and sand and our overall Visual Landscape.

Think about our future through the eyes of our children and grandchildren.

Louise Mitchell, Jannali

IMPOSSIBLE TO FATHOM

I cannot understand why Sutherland Shire Council even considered rezoning waterways land.

What did they expect to happen, or what did they hope to gain?

Surely there are far more important issues to deal with!

Matt Salmon, Miranda

EXCELLENT DECISION

An excellent result not to proceed with waterfront land rezoning from last nights council meeting.

We need to protect our sea grasses and shorebirds environment, and protect waterways for all shire residents.

Vicki Cattell, Cronulla

ANZAC DAY PRAISE

I absolutely love the Remembrance Mural painted at the front of Diggers Miranda RSL.

Also, I attended Miranda RSL Dawn Service. A huge well done. So many young people and school children.

The club put on a magnificent Breakfast for everyone. Bacon, eggs, sausages, tomatoes and onions. Endless, tea and coffee. It cost $15 for all except the service people past and present whom I'm sure didn't pay.

Ellie Chaseling

LOUD AND CLEAR

On the Anzac Day public holiday, my wife and I took the train into the city. When we got to Sutherland, we both commented on the clarity of the announcements by the train guard using the PA system.

The guard spoke in a clear voice and was both informative and concise.

So much so, that we thanked him when we alighted from the train.

His response was, "Please tell my boss". Well, we both hope this gets to his boss.

M A (name supplied), Miranda

HAVE YOUR SAY: leaderletters@theleader.com.au