{"id":512298,"date":"2026-03-01T18:35:32","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T18:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/512298\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T18:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T18:35:32","slug":"young-aussies-put-on-notice-over-reckless-road-act-as-police-dish-out-fines-wont-be-tolerated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/512298\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Aussies put on notice over ‘reckless’ road act as police dish out fines: ‘Won’t be tolerated’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Young Australians have been put on notice as police cracked down on a group of e-bike riders<\/a> planning yet another weekend ride-out through busy Sydney streets.<\/p>\n

Vision of large groups of youths riding dangerously across the city, including along the Sydney Harbour Bridge<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

But police on the Northern Beaches were quick to act on Saturday after learning of plans of a ride-out across several suburbs.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“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\u2019t be tolerated,” a NSW Police spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia on Sunday.<\/p>\n

“All riders need to wear a helmet, ride a compliant bike, comply with the road rules and follow the directions of police.”<\/p>\n

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”.<\/p>\n

Police acknowledged the community support and warned riders that similar operations to the one seen on Saturday would be launched when needed.<\/p>\n

It comes months after dozens of youths were observed by Yahoo News riding together along one of the area’s main arterial roads<\/a>, however on that occasion police opted to “monitor” the ride-out instead of breaking it up and identifying any potential law breaches.<\/p>\n

An organised ride-out at the start of February in Brookvale was snuffed out by police, with Manly Observer<\/a> sharing vision of police waiting for the group which never showed after a warning was put out by authorities.<\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Four school kids loaded onto an e-bike shows how the use of these devices is concerning Australians. Source: Supplied<\/p>\n

NSW confirms extra powers and new age limit<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

NSW Police will be able to crush non-compliant, high-powered e-bikes including so-called “fat bikes” and other throttle-only devices.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The review will also examine whether younger riders have the necessary skills and maturity to safely carry passengers.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

With AAP<\/p>\n

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