{"id":422426,"date":"2026-01-19T02:52:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T02:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/422426\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T02:52:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T02:52:13","slug":"aussies-divided-after-video-of-e-bike-act-on-golf-course-emerges-kids-cant-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/422426\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussies divided after video of e-bike act on golf course emerges: ‘Kids can’t win’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A prestigious golf course in an affluent Sydney suburb has been overrun with e-bikes<\/a>, with dozens of riders <\/a>filmed driving over greens and doing jumps off mounds. The incident prompted a call to police, though the group had left the scene before officers could arrive.<\/p>\n

More than 30 riders swarmed the Long Reef Golf Club, in Collaroy, just after 12pm on Friday. The vision was posted by Cromer Golf Club, who berated the group about the potential damage caused to the grass.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder if any of these fools understand the cost of replacing greens,\u201d the business wrote.<\/p>\n

Long Reef Golf Club told Yahoo News the course suffered some damaged by the riders.<\/p>\n

The video immediately sparked debate online, with some arguing it’s just a bit of “old school fun”.<\/p>\n

“Kids can\u2019t win,” one commenter wrote. “Forever told to get off the screens and start riding their bikes\u2026 and now they are out having some old school fun and everyone loses their minds and wants to lock them up inside.”<\/p>\n

Others argued they were damaging someone’s business, saying the parents should be at fault.<\/p>\n

‘Disrespectful’ behaviour after string of e-bike deaths<\/p>\n

Independent Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby said she was \u201cshocked\u201d to see the \u201cirresponsible\u201d actions of the riders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is unacceptable to trespass, and this behaviour was inconsiderate and disrespectful to both the public and public property,\u201d she said in a statement.<\/p>\n

She added that while the video may seem like \u201charmless fun\u201d, on the same day as it was being circulated online, a 14-year-old was injured in an e-bike accident at Newport.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the latest in a string of incidents involving the often illegally modified machines. A large group of teenage e-bike riders have been filmed previously riding through Sydney’s Northern Beaches allegedly disrupting traffic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On New Year\u2019s Eve, a 15-year-old boy died after his e-bike hit a pole<\/a> in Tasmania\u2019s northwest.<\/p>\n

In December, 14-year-old Ryley Ziebell was killed when his e-bike collided with a 4WD 300 metres from his home in Melbourne.<\/p>\n

In September, a 17-year-old was killed when his e-bike was struck by a car on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n

\"Dozens<\/p>\n

An e-scooter seen above on a Long Reef golf green was among the swarm of e-bikes riding across the course. Source: Cromer Golf Club<\/p>\n

Parents urged to take responsibility: expert<\/p>\n

While e-bikes are usually safe and legal, it\u2019s the illegally modified versions that have become a point of frustration for drivers and pedestrians alike<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These modifications pose a \u201creal issue\u201d and mar the reputation of electronic bikes, Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW, previous told Yahoo News.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of them do go extremely fast. Some of them are geared to do 60, 70, 80 and even, in some cases, over 100 km\/h,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith something that\u2019s basically very little design, quality construction or quality materials, it\u2019s terrifying to be honest.”<\/p>\n

McLean said he unfortunately wasn\u2019t surprised by the surging death toll involving young people and e-bikes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems like there’s more and more cases of kids and teenagers jumping on these devices<\/a>, without full awareness or ability and skills to actually be able to ride them safely. And that’s very, very important.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we don’t do something about it, it will undoubtedly get worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said all three levels of government have a role to play in improving education and regulations around e-bike safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cParents need to be taking responsibility too,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Yahoo News has contacted Long Reef Golf Course for further comment.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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