A US social media personality known as Sur Ronster has been fined by New South Wales police after leading a group of about 40 ebike riders onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge during peak-hour traffic on Tuesday. The 26-year-old YouTuber, who has over 3.4 million followers on the platform, was issued two traffic infringement notices for negligent driving, each carrying a penalty of $562 and three demerit points.
The group rode along the bridge's main deck, where cycling is prohibited, before turning around and travelling through the city's CBD and Haymarket. Police described the rideout as 'incredibly irresponsible, stupid and downright dangerous', with Assistant Commissioner David Driver stating it had the potential for people to be injured or killed. Officers did not pursue the riders immediately due to safety concerns but later located them at Mrs Macquarie's Chair near the Botanic Gardens, where they dispersed.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ronster expressed regret for giving 'bike life' a bad reputation. He claimed the rideout was intended as a meet-and-greet under the bridge and blamed his unfamiliarity with the city for ending up on the bridge. 'I’ll probably take responsibility,' he said, adding that he made the decision to turn around to avoid completing the full crossing.
The incident has intensified calls for regulation of ebikes. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler labelled illegal ebikes a 'total menace on the road', noting devastating injuries in hospital emergency departments. NSW recorded 226 ebike-related injuries in 2024, but that figure surged to 233 injuries and four deaths in the first seven months of 2025.
