Politicians and police are pledging a crackdown on e-bikes after a group of 40 riders and motorcyclists were filmed driving dangerously across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Videos posted to social media show the convoy matching and surpassing the speeds of surrounding cars as they drive and do wheelies on roads near the Sydney landmark on Tuesday afternoon.

The group seems to consist mostly of young men, with at least one of the riders in the video apparently wearing a school uniform.

One clip shows police attempting to stop them, before the riders breeze past the officer’s motorcycle.

NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander David Driver said the bridge convoy was “incredibly irresponsible, stupid and downright dangerous”.

“I’m struggling to find the adjective that outlines how stupid and irresponsible this behaviour is,” Driver said.

“We don’t want to be knocking on your door and telling you that your child has been killed in one of these stupid ride-outs.”

Police later caught up with the group at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and gave them a talking to before the riders dispersed.

“Joy rides on the Sydney Harbour Bridge are stupid, unsafe and a middle finger to the police and the community,” NSW opposition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward said.

“These kids know they are unaccountable and untouchable until there is compulsory licence plates, enforcement and accountability.”

Ward said requiring licence plates for all e-bikes would offer greater accountability.

“Labor keeps obsessing over wattage, speed caps and technical definitions,” she said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns foreshadowed changes after his government rejected creating a reporting system for non-compliant devices and unsafe riding. He also criticised Ward for allowing high-powered e-bikes to be exempted from road registration when she was a cabinet minister.

“The current situation is intolerable and it’s dangerous,” Minns said on Wednesday.

“It’s regrettable that [Ward’s] original decision was made to have a 500-watt output rather than a 250-watt output, because we’re now in a situation where we’re trying to close the barn door after close to a million of these machines are on Sydney streets.

“We’ll have more to say soon.”

In NSW, in addition to being no more than 500 watts, e-bike batteries can operate only as a pedal-assist and cut out when the vehicle reaches a speed of 25km/h. Anything that exceeds those power or speed limits must be registered as a moped or motorcycle.

NSW Police already have powers to seize vehicles that are not road legal. It is also illegal to ride bicycles or e-bikes on the Harbour Bridge, an offence that can attract a $460 fine.

Police said the Harbour Bridge convoy was seen riding on roads and there were no injuries or recorded damage to property, or vehicle seizures.

Driver said riders making U-turns in front of oncoming traffic had forced heavy vehicles to brake suddenly, creating a risk of serious injury or even death. But he defended the actions of police, who did not intercept any riders.

“There was a large number of riders and a small number of officers at the time, ” Driver told Sydney radio 2GB.

Wednesday’s incident follows one in January, when about 60 young e-bike riders rolled over the greens of the Long Reef Golf Club, on Sydney’s northern beaches.

At the time, Ward described the incident as “quite intimidating”.

“It’s swarms of gangs of kids on bikes, and literally, it’s e-bike cowboys,” she said.

E-bikes, many retailing for more than $2000, and other high-powered vehicles have become a lightning rod for controversy in parts of Australia.

A teenage boy is awaiting trial for manslaughter after allegedly killing a 59-year-old while riding an unlicensed electric motorbike through a park in Perth in July.

A crackdown by Queensland Police in December brought the seizure of at least 100 illegal devices and 2100 fines for riders.

-with AAP