Police warning after officer injured, e-bikes seized in crackdown

A police officer was hospitalised and 22 illegal e-bikes were seized in a major police blitz across the Illawarra and southern Sydney suburbs on Friday.

The crackdown comes amid a growing number of complaints, mainly from pedestrians, about dangers created by the increasing number of e-bikes using footpaths and shared paths across the region.

Last month, veteran ABC broadcaster Margaret Throsby was seriously injured when an e-bike struck her while she was walking on a footpath north of Wollongong.

After being released from hospital, she called for a crackdown on “overpowered” e-bikes. Margaret told ABC Illawarra the larger e-bikes were “pretty lethal” and she considered herself “lucky to be alive” after being knocked heavily to the ground, hitting her head and breaking her leg.

Police said the latest crackdown took place between 2pm and 8pm on Friday, across Wollongong, Shellharbour and Cronulla. Police joined forces with Transport for NSW staff for the blitz.

Officers targeted illegal and modified e-bikes that exceeded legal speed and power limit. One of the e-bikes seized had been modified to travel at 50km/hr with several others modified to travel over 40km/h.

Police say last Friday’s crackdown is the second recently and more will follow. It resulted in another serious injury caused by an e-bike rider when an officer was struck while on duty.

Police officer injured

NSW Police say at 5.40pm on Friday, one of their officers involved in the joint operation was involved in an alleged hit and run while on patrol at Shell Cove.

Police say a senior constable attempted to stop an e-bike rider on Aquatic Drive when he was allegedly struck by the bike. It’s alleged the rider failed to stop and fled the scene.

Police later charged an 18-year-old man with multiple offences. He will appear before Port Kembla Local Court on October 28.

The officer was taken to Shellharbour Hospital where he received treatment for a serious leg injury.

Police warning

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander David Driver warned riders to check legal requirements before purchasing an e-bike.

“This is the second operation after the new e-bike seizure laws came into effect and our message remains clear. There is no place on our roads and footpaths for illegal and modified e-bikes that put other people at risk,” Assistant Commissioner Driver said.

“We know e-bikes are popular, particularly among young people, however, popularity does not give them exemption from the law.

“Please take time and check the NSW e-bike requirements carefully before you purchase it. If you ride an illegal or modified e-bike, it may be seized, assessed and destroyed if it’s found to be non-compliant. Simple checks will save your time, money and the consequences of getting it wrong.”