E-bike safety becomes urgent in Illawarra after string of injuries
E-bike incidents in Illawarra have injured a child and a police officer, prompting calls for restrictions.
A five-year-old was struck by an e-bike near his school. Margaret Throsby, an ABC broadcaster, needed surgery after a similar collision.
A police officer was hit and left seriously injured. E-bike incidents have sparked urgent calls for restrictions.
Residents say speeding e-bikes on shared pathways endanger families, wheelchair users and older pedestrians. Support worker Chez Youll described a near miss with a client in a wheelchair at Shell Cove.
Some Illawarra residents want separate cycling lanes. Others suggest number plates for accountability.
National data shows hospitalizations from e-scooter and mobility scooter falls tripled. The count went from 1,291 in 2019-20 to 4,089 in 2024-25.
- 1,291
- Hospitalizations 2019-20
- 4,089
- Hospitalizations 2024-25
- Illawarra
- Region affected
- Shell Cove waterfront
- Incident location
Why it mattersShared pathways are becoming dangerous as e-bike speeds increase. Riders don't have training or oversight.
AustraliaIllawarra residents face daily safety risks on shared pathways, and injury trends are rising across Australia.
