Dozens of young electric bike enthusiasts have sparked significant community concern after a mass 'rideout' saw them descend on a prestigious Sydney golf course. The incident, captured on video, is part of a growing trend of large-scale ebike gatherings across Australia's major cities, raising urgent questions about safety and regulation.
Golf Course Chaos and Citywide Swarms
An estimated 60 young people on ebikes rolled across the carefully maintained greens and fairways of the Long Reef Golf Club in north Sydney last Friday. The club's general manager, Ben Russell, confirmed the disruptive incident was reported to New South Wales police, though officers found the riders had already left the scene. Russell noted this was not an isolated event, with increasing vandalism from ebikes entering the course after hours over the past year.
The very next day, a similar scene unfolded in Melbourne, where around 100 riders converged on the Docklands area following a planned meet-up that saw them take over city roads. Victoria police are investigating multiple reports of dangerous behaviour during this event, including riders travelling at high speeds, using the wrong side of the road, weaving through traffic, and ignoring red lights.
Cult Status and Community Tension
Electric bikes, particularly robust 'fat tyre' models, have achieved cult status among young Australians, offering independence and mobility. Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW, acknowledges their benefits for connecting youth to education, work, and social activities. However, the sight of large packs of teenagers zooming through urban and suburban areas is increasingly irking residents and prompting safety alarms.
Community fears were highlighted recently when residents of Sydney's Sutherland Shire posted on Facebook about a "huge ebike gang" of at least 40 people swarming the streets of Cronulla. McLean states he has been sent numerous videos and messages about such teenage ebike 'swarms'. The core issue, he emphasises, lies with high-powered bikes being operated dangerously, often without helmets, posing a significant risk to riders and the public.
Calls for Regulation and Enforcement
The debate over ebike regulation has intensified following a fatal collision between an ebike rider and a garbage truck in New South Wales. In response, NSW Premier Chris Minns announced a plan to halve the legal power output of ebikes to 250 watts, effectively reducing their top speeds.
Harold Scruby of the Pedestrian Council has long warned about safety risks, pointing to illegal modifications that transform some fat bikes into essentially unregistered motorbikes being ridden on footpaths. McLean advocates for a clear regulatory framework, a sentiment echoed by the nation's transport ministers who agreed last November to work towards consistent national rules for the safe supply and use of ebikes.
"For about four or five years, we've been able to basically import anything we like into the country, and that's resulting in a few challenges," McLean said. Meanwhile, the Long Reef Golf Club is taking practical steps, installing mobile CCTV towers around its course to deter future intrusions, as authorities grapple with balancing innovation, youth culture, and public safety.
