Young Australians have been put on notice as police cracked down on a group of e-bike riders planning yet another weekend ride-out through busy Sydney streets.
Vision of large groups of youths riding dangerously across the city, including along the Sydney Harbour Bridge, has shocked the country in recent months, with some critical of the lack of action taken against those involved, with Australians arguing there needs to be tougher consequences as a deterrent.
But police on the Northern Beaches were quick to act on Saturday after learning of plans of a ride-out across several suburbs.
Three Highway Patrol vehicles were among the deployment by police in a high-visibility operation to target reckless riding and illegal behaviour feared as a result of the proposed meetup. As part of the operation, police spoke with 68 people on either e-bikes or e-scooters, with 12 infringement notices issued. Eighteen verbal warnings were also given for not wearing a helmet.
“Police are reminding e-bike riders that anti-social or dangerous behaviour including reckless riding, blocking roads, and putting other road users and pedestrians at risk won’t be tolerated,” a NSW Police spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia on Sunday.
“All riders need to wear a helmet, ride a compliant bike, comply with the road rules and follow the directions of police.”
The operation prompted locals, who have long called for more action to get to grips with illegal e-bike usage in the area, to praise the police’s proactive response to the ride-out online, with one saying it was “about time something was done”.
Police acknowledged the community support and warned riders that similar operations to the one seen on Saturday would be launched when needed.
It comes months after dozens of youths were observed by Yahoo News riding together along one of the area’s main arterial roads, however on that occasion police opted to “monitor” the ride-out instead of breaking it up and identifying any potential law breaches.
An organised ride-out at the start of February in Brookvale was snuffed out by police, with Manly Observer sharing vision of police waiting for the group which never showed after a warning was put out by authorities.
Four school kids loaded onto an e-bike shows how the use of these devices is concerning Australians. Source: Supplied
NSW confirms extra powers and new age limit
The rapid rise in e-bike use among young people has led to the NSW Government stepping in, with concerns many of the bikes being used are not roadworthy and are fuelling anti-social behaviour.
Last month, the state government confirmed police will now get extra powers to seize and destroy illegal e-bikes in a similar move rolled out in WA.
NSW Police will be able to crush non-compliant, high-powered e-bikes including so-called “fat bikes” and other throttle-only devices.
In addition to being no more than 500 watts, e-bike batteries can only operate 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.
“We’ve heard loud and clear the concern in the community about souped-up e-bikes and the anti-social behaviour that seems to go hand in hand with them,” Transport Minister John Graham said.
That extra power was followed by the confirmation the state would seek a minimum age for e-bike usage on roads, with the age set to be between 12 and 16, pending an expert review.
The review will also examine whether younger riders have the necessary skills and maturity to safely carry passengers.
Currently, NSW has around 760,000 e-bikes, and under existing laws, there is no minimum age; children of any age can legally ride them.
With AAP
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