The e-bike revolution is upon us, and it's not just the young and adventurous who are hopping on.

These electric-powered bicycles have become a popular choice for commuters and those looking for a fun, new way to stay active.

However, amidst this booming trend, a darker side is emerging that could put riders at risk.

The rise in e-bike popularity also coincided with an uptick in accidents and injuries related to the vehicle.

Emergency departments across Australia raised the alarm due to an alarming increase in e-bike-related incidents.

Queensland alone saw eight fatalities linked to personal mobility devices, including e-bikes, last year.

Electric bicycles have been a popular mode of transport due to its efficiency. Image Credit: Pexels/Team Evelo

This statistic was a significant jump from the previous year.

Victoria also reported a spike in accidents, with the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) reporting 534 e-bike injuries over six years.

Authorities also noticed a concerning trend in the incidents.

Law-abiding citizens found themselves in dangerous situations due to e-bikes.

The most common injuries involved fractures to the upper limbs, wrists, and elbows.

Some victims also sustained head and neck injuries.

Young males aged 15-24 are particularly at risk, but this does not mean senior riders and pedestrians are immune.

However, the data on e-bike injuries was not as clear-cut as it should be.

Inconsistent reporting and a lack of detailed statistics meant that authorities only saw the tip of the iceberg.

Without comprehensive data, councils have had a challenging time developing informed policies and safety measures.

University of Melbourne's Urban Resilience and Mobility Professor Dr Milad Haghani believed that this information gap is a serious concern.

One of the more troubling aspects of the e-bike surge was the rise of high-powered and illegally modified bikes.

Some of these modified e-bikes could reach speeds of up to 80 km/h—something beyond the road limit of 25 km/h.

These high-powered machines are often available online or through social media platforms, bypassing traditional safety checks in place.

Parents and grandparents could be unaware that they are purchasing electric bikes and scooters that are illegal for their children to ride.

In response to the growing number of incidents, Queensland police initiated Operation Zappo Stoppie.

The operation plan should target the illegal use of electric vehicles.

Ever since the launch of Operation Zappo Stoppie, Queensland police have seen numerous charges and impounds.

However, there are still things that need to be done to push for safety.

A Current Affair covered one of the most recent incidents related to e-bikes.

Watch the episode here:

Source: A Current Affair/YouTube​

Community members may also report non-compliant behaviour to the authorities, which could help police identify problem areas and inform future patrols.

As communities embrace the benefits of e-bikes, everyone should also be mindful of the risks.

It's essential to pair infrastructure improvements with informed regulations and enforcement.

Speed controls and education on safe riding practices can go a long way in preventing accidents, especially towards seniors who enjoy their long, uninterrupted walks outside.

Key Takeaways

• There has been a significant increase in e-bike injuries and fatalities across Australia, with Queensland and Victoria experiencing worrying spikes.
• Data on e-bike accidents have been limited and inconsistent, which posed a challenge for informed policy-making.
• Concerns have been raised about high-powered and illegally modified e-bikes, prompting calls for greater awareness, enforcement, and regulation.
• Experts argued that Australia's cities lack adequate infrastructure for e-bikes, which could lead to accidents.

Let's ensure that we're not just enjoying the ride but also safeguarding our well-being and that of those around us. Have you or someone you know had an experience with e-bikes? Share your stories and thoughts on how we can make e-biking safer for everyone in the comments section below.

 

[Gezzabel]

I see school students every day, dinking, no helmets and unbelievable speed! I think these kids have no sense of danger, and they are not insured if they cause an accident. So when they inevitably do hit someone, who is liable? The law makers seriously need to look at what is happening. It will take a few tragedies, and then they might listen.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Get the story right, there are 2 sorts of E bikes on sale now the legal ones, and the illegal ones, guess which they are talking about. I have been riding an E bike for years, mine is Governed to 25ks max and that goes in 5 stages if I don't pedal it don't go, the others have a throttle you don't have to pedal at all, there's the Dangerous difference and not Governed.

 

[Col@45]

IT's got that way now it's not safe to walk along the footpath....these E-bikes have no place on our footpaths and if people want to ride them on the roads, that's their problem.
How many elderly people out enjoying a walk are going to be mowed over by a reckless hoon on one of these contraptions before the law is changed making them illegal to ride on footpaths.

 

[Toni Wrinkles]

Really think these should be regulated better and registered, my adult daughter was stepping out of a shop doorway onto the footpath and was bowled over by an ebike doing excessive speed, we live in a smallish country town and shops line the footpath, these things are quiet and she didn't hear it one foot on path and whoosh, now if it had been someone elderly they WOULD have been seriously injured as my girl hit her head and shoulder, it was bad enough to stop a driver to rush over to her to make sure she and him were ok......who do you sue if you are badly injured? can't sue council as they didn't make the rules, bit of a real worry for some people I think.

 

[Millycat]

In Sydney a week ago, these bikes are everywhere.
State, if hired must wear helmet which is sitting in the basket locked until you hire.

We came across many around Circular Quay and the walk along to Darling Harbour, those being ridden were definitely not doing 25klms, more to the excess of double that and yes, no helmets being worn.
They take over the walk ways and disregard those walking, if one does not move they continue to fly past.

Certainly needs to be more done, they should all be set on the lesser speed and make it impossible to go faster.
Accidents just waiting to happen.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Stop putting ALL E bikes in the same Basket because they are NOT the same the others have a throttle based mechanism which means you can just speed along the LEGAL E Bikes can't do that so be careful who you blame. The illegal ones are yes risen by jerks who have no regard for Laws or People.

 

[DLHM]

IT's got that way now it's not safe to walk along the footpath....these E-bikes have no place on our footpaths and if people want to ride them on the roads, that's their problem.
How many elderly people out enjoying a walk are going to be mowed over by a reckless hoon on one of these contraptions before the law is changed making them illegal to ride on footpaths.

It isn’t just e-bikes, it’s primarily the “serious” cyclists on their racing bikes. They can reach very high speeds, don’t alert pedestrians when approaching from behind and nearly all feel they have more rights on the shared walkways/cycle paths than pedestrians. That has been my experience with them.

I’ve not had any problems with e-bike riders. And no, I don’t own an e-bike.

 

[Frida1944]

These bikes have no place on footpaths. They are pretty quiet and you don't hear them until they are on you. Even the 25 kmh is far too fast as the damage they could cause in a collision with a small child or frail person could be catastrophic. Can't understand any Council allowing them on paths where pedestrians should be able to walk with safety. It is beyond ridiculous.

 

[Frida1944]

Get the story right, there are 2 sorts of E bikes on sale now the legal ones, and the illegal ones, guess which they are talking about. I have been riding an E bike for years, mine is Governed to 25ks max and that goes in 5 stages if I don't pedal it don't go, the others have a throttle you don't have to pedal at all, there's the Dangerous difference and not Governed.

The fact that a bike can be ridden at 25 kmh on a footpath is ridiculous. A collision, even at that speed, could cause dreadful injuries, particularly to a small child or frail person. These bikes (legal or illegal) have no place on footpaths. If people want to ride them they should be registered and only for use on roads.

 

[Josephine B]

To my understanding aren't all "powered" vehicles - SEMI'S, TRUCKS, FWD, UTES, CARS, MOTORBIKES ETC (which would include these E-bikes because they're powered) supposed to be registered since they're a vehicle in motion and supposed to be on the road and not the "footpath"?

The same going for these E-Scooters as they're a powered vehicle and not like a child's foot powered scooter.
If there's no regulations on these powered electronic vehicles (scooters), there should be and they should ONLY be ridden on the ROADWAY "NOT THE FOOTPATH" AND THE WEARING OF A HELMET) and leaving the FOOTPATH ONLY FOR PEDESTRIANS. SERIOUSLY!!

I'm just envisaging an EV roaring down the footpath speeding past some poor elderly person and them jumping out of their wits. Just joking here!

 

[Aussie all the Way]

The fact that a bike can be ridden at 25 kmh on a footpath is ridiculous. A collision, even at that speed, could cause dreadful injuries, particularly to a small child or frail person. These bikes (legal or illegal) have no place on footpaths. If people want to ride them they should be registered and only for use on roads.

I never ride on the footpath and must admit I don't know another rider that does. Let me clarify a point, yes my bike can do 25ks BUT I am not iron woman and I could not ride at that speed if I tried, I would be peddling like a mad woman to do it, not many people who have the legal E Bikes can ride to full capacity, I got mine because I have osteoarthritis in my knee and it is great exercise. Responsible able bodied people ride normal push bikes on the road as well, like I said it is the jerks and trouble makers who have cottoned on to these illegal motorised bikes and terrorise everyone.

 

[Jest]

unless they have paid the same as i have to be on the road, they best not get in my way.

 

[Jest]

I never ride on the footpath and must admit I don't know another rider that does. Let me clarify a point, yes my bike can do 25ks BUT I am not iron woman and I could not ride at that speed if I tried, I would be peddling like a mad woman to do it, not many people who have the legal E Bikes can ride to full capacity, I got mine because I have osteoarthritis in my knee and it is great exercise. Responsible able bodied people ride normal push bikes on the road as well, like I said it is the jerks and trouble makers who have cottoned on to these illegal motorised bikes and terrorise everyone.

what do you pay for a rego to ride on the road? if it is no cost then get off the road.

 

[Jest]

To my understanding aren't all "powered" vehicles - SEMI'S, TRUCKS, FWD, UTES, CARS, MOTORBIKES ETC (which would include these E-bikes because they're powered) supposed to be registered since they're a vehicle in motion and supposed to be on the road and not the "footpath"?

The same going for these E-Scooters as they're a powered vehicle and not like a child's foot powered scooter.
If there's no regulations on these powered electronic vehicles (scooters), there should be and they should ONLY be ridden on the ROADWAY "NOT THE FOOTPATH" AND THE WEARING OF A HELMET) and leaving the FOOTPATH ONLY FOR PEDESTRIANS. SERIOUSLY!!

I'm just envisaging an EV roaring down the footpath speeding past some poor elderly person and them jumping out of their wits. Just joking here!

common sense and my views exactly.

 

[Jest]

Stop putting ALL E bikes in the same Basket because they are NOT the same the others have a throttle based mechanism which means you can just speed along the LEGAL E Bikes can't do that so be careful who you blame. The illegal ones are yes risen by jerks who have no regard for Laws or People.

just get off the road and footpaths if they are not legal and you ride for free. or do better just get hit if you are too stupid. i have a mobility scooter that everyone would pass me, by walking, it has a horn it has a light and would be hard put to damage a lettuce. NOW i suppose you will come back and relate that to escooters.
as far as i am concerned they all the same.

 

[DLHM]

what do you pay for a rego to ride on the road? if it is no cost then get off the road.

All bike riders should be paying to register their bikes for road use. Look how many decades they’ve been allowed to use the roads for free and many ignore the road rules.

 

[Jest]

In Sydney a week ago, these bikes are everywhere.
State, if hired must wear helmet which is sitting in the basket locked until you hire.

We came across many around Circular Quay and the walk along to Darling Harbour, those being ridden were definitely not doing 25klms, more to the excess of double that and yes, no helmets being worn.
They take over the walk ways and disregard those walking, if one does not move they continue to fly past.

Certainly needs to be more done, they should all be set on the lesser speed and make it impossible to go faster.
Accidents just waiting to happen.

agree

 

[Jest]

I see school students every day, dinking, no helmets and unbelievable speed! I think these kids have no sense of danger, and they are not insured if they cause an accident. So when they inevitably do hit someone, who is liable? The law makers seriously need to look at what is happening. It will take a few tragedies, and then they might listen.

like that add where she says I DON'T REALY CARE.

 

[Jest]

Get the story right, there are 2 sorts of E bikes on sale now the legal ones, and the illegal ones, guess which they are talking about. I have been riding an E bike for years, mine is Governed to 25ks max and that goes in 5 stages if I don't pedal it don't go, the others have a throttle you don't have to pedal at all, there's the Dangerous difference and not Governed.

COULD NOT CARE LESS AT 25K WHAT CONTROL DO YOU HAVE? I KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITH THE THROTTLE.