Police take to e-bikes to counter reckless behaviour

Amid a growing number of complaints about risky and dangerous behaviour by e-bike riders, Illawarra police have adopted an “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach.

Late last year, Youth Command officers in the Illawarra were allocated four e-bikes to conduct regular patrols in addition to foot patrols and high visibility policing in known trouble spots.

A NSW Police spokesperson said the e-bikes also gave capability to places police vehicles could not access. With spiralling fuel prices, the bikes are also energy efficient.

The new police e-bikes have been used in operations including an “e-voltage operation” at Shell Cove marina.

With the number of accidents and complaints about e-bikes increasing, NSW Police has conducted a number of high-visibility operations across the Wollongong Police District, focusing on non-compliant e-bikes and inappropriate riding behaviour.

Early last month, officers attached to the Illawarra Highway Patrol conducted a high visibility one-day operation as part of Operation E-Voltage, targeting e-bikes and e-scooters.

A spokesperson said there were 17 e-mobility interactions resulting in detection of two helmet offences, three licence offences, 10 registration offences, two traffic infringement notices and four cautions.

Helping to educate bike riders is an important part of the role of police on patrols.

“Under Operation E-Voltage, officers regularly engage with children, parents and older riders to promote safe and lawful use of e-bikes and trail bikes,” the spokesperson said.

“Anti-social or dangerous behaviour including reckless riding, blocking roads and putting other road users and pedestrians at risk are particular areas of focus.

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

With more young people – who may lack in experience on roads or be travelling at high speeds on footpaths – riding e-bikes, police are encouraging parents to engage in discussions with children about e-bikes and road safety.

“Parents should check the device complies with the current legislation and is not illegal or illegally modified,” the NSW Police spokesperson said.

“If the device does not comply with current legislation, it cannot be ridden on roads, footpaths, shared paths and cycleways in NSW.”

Anyone with information about illegal riding is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or Wollongong Police.

To make a police report: 

• call 000 for emergencies or a crime in progress;
• call 131 444 for non-urgent crime reporting and general enquiries;
• call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to provide crime information confidentially;
• submit a report online via the NSW Police Force Community Portal.