'Reckless' e-bike blitz after huge spike in crashes

There were some 144 collisions involving e-bikes on Victorian roads in 2024, compared to 79 the previous year.

It's on track to be even higher in 2025, with early police data revealing some 113 e-bike collisions were recorded in the first seven months of the year.

Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said 90 per cent of the time e-bike crashes involved bikes that were overpowered, non-compliant with safety regulations or riders that had flouted road rules.

He pointed to community "confusion" over e-bikes but stressed the onus was on riders to make sure their bikes don't exceed power or speed rules, on top of complying with laws that affect all cyclists, like wearing a helmet.

"We will particularly be on the lookout for reckless riders who are blatantly disregarding the rules," Asst Comm Weir said.

The senior officer linked the increased popularity of e-bikes to the rise in the number of crashes rather than changes to rider behaviour.

Victoria Police launched a fresh crackdown on Wednesday, targeting riders on overpowered or illegal e-bikes in Melbourne's CBD.

There are only two types of legal e-bikes, those with a top speed of 25km/h that require pedals to get started or have a throttle on the handlebar.

Anything that travels more than 25km/h or used the motor as the primary source of power is considered a motorcycle.

In that case, riders have to comply with road rules including licensing requirements, registration and penalties for driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Using an unregistered vehicle attracts an immediate fine of $1018 while using a mobile phone or electronic device while riding leads to a $611 fine.

The Australian Medical Association previously called for a national body to develop a nation-wide safety strategy and regulations over the spike in injuries linked to e-bikes.

Data from the Monash University Accident Research Centre shows from 2016 to 2021, 14 deaths reported to coroners listed e-bikes, e-scooters and electronic self-balancing devices as contributing to the death.

Australian Associated Press