Teen faces court after eastern suburbs e-bike altercation

2 months ago 10

A teenager has been released on bail after a crash between two e-bikes and a car took a dramatic turn in Sydney’s east on Monday afternoon.

Police were called to Rose Bay following reports two 15-year-old boys on bikes had crashed into a car driven by a 48-year-old man, sparking a physical altercation with bystanders.

Wild footage of the incident, which occurred about 3.10pm, showed multiple police vehicles arriving at the intersection of New South Head Road and Newcastle Street.

The vision, obtained by Nine News, showed passers-by stepping in to wrestle the two boys to the ground before police officers rushed in, restraining and arresting the teens.

Paramedics treated the driver at the scene before he was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital for minor head injuries.

The two teens were taken to Surry Hills Police Station.

One of the 15-year-olds was charged with two offences – destroy or damage property and assault – while the second boy was released without charge.

The teen faced Surry Hills Children’s Court on Tuesday, where he was granted conditional bail to reappear in court on January 19.

Inquiries into the Rose Bay altercation on Monday afternoon are ongoing.

The incident comes amid a push to regulate e-bikes in NSW.

Chris Minns last week announced plans to halve the power limit on e-bikes sold in NSW.

Premier Chris Minns last week announced plans to halve the power limit on bikes sold in NSW to 250 watts, hours after a rider in his 30s was killed in a collision with a garbage truck on Sydney’s northern beaches.

The government will also review the definition of an e-bike to close loopholes allowing “motorcycle-level devices” to be sold as e-bikes, accompanying new federal import requirements that require all bikes coming into Australia meet European safety requirements.

Tempers around the state – and around the country – have flared over the increase in illegally modified electric bikes and scooters flooding city streets, as safety advocates raise the alarm on the dangers posed by the unregulated vehicles.

In the past week alone, a 14-year-old boy died after being hit by a four-wheel-drive while riding his electric bike in Melbourne on Monday night; a Queensland woman died in an e-scooter crash on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday; and a boy was rushed to Perth Children’s Hospital on Saturday after he was hit by a car while riding his e-bike.

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