A 15-year-old male rider and a 14-year-old male passenger were pronounced deceased at the scene.

A Wave of Fatalities: Young Riders Killed in Collisions Across Australia Amidst Legislative Overhaul

A series of fatal traffic incidents involving young riders and collisions with buses and other vehicles have occurred across Australia in recent days, coinciding with state-level legislative reviews and proposed regulatory changes for e-bikes, e-scooters, and other personal mobility devices. The incidents span New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia, while Queensland is advancing proposed laws concerning speed limits, licensing, and age restrictions.

New South Wales: Two Fatal Crashes in One Day

Incident in Bossley Park

On Monday evening at approximately 7:10 PM, a collision occurred between a petrol-powered trail bike and a bus on the Liverpool-Parramatta T-Way near Restwell Road in Bossley Park, in Sydney's west. The trail bike became trapped underneath the bus.

A 15-year-old male rider and a 14-year-old male passenger were pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency services. The 48-year-old male bus driver was transported to a hospital for mandatory testing. No bus passengers sustained injuries.

Police reported that the motorbike was registered to a relative of one of the boys. Both teenagers were wearing helmets at the time of the collision. Superintendent Craig Middleton stated that the bus appeared to be executing a U-turn in a turning bay when the incident occurred. The boys were not related. Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are conducting an investigation.

Incident in North Curl Curl

On Monday, April 27, 2026, at approximately 4:45 PM, a 15-year-old male riding an e-bike collided with a car on Abbott Road in North Curl Curl, Sydney. The boy sustained lower leg injuries and was transported to Randwick Children's Hospital by ambulance helicopter. He was reported to be in a serious but stable condition and admitted to the intensive care unit.

Police established a crime scene. Witnesses reported seeing a white vehicle mount the kerb near Creative Space before the collision. The driver of the car was uninjured. Police sources confirmed the driver's identity is known to police, though no arrests had been made as of publication. Unconfirmed social media reports prior to the incident claimed e-bike riders had smashed a car window, but police have not confirmed any link between that alleged incident and the hit-and-run.

Victoria: Unlicensed Teen, Modified Motorcycle

On Wednesday evening at approximately 5:30 PM, an electric motorcycle collided with two cars at the intersection of Findon and Plenty roads in South Morang, Melbourne. Police reported that the motorcycle ran a red light.

A 15-year-old male passenger on the motorcycle died at the scene. Police stated he was not wearing a helmet. A 17-year-old male operator of the motorcycle, who was wearing a helmet, sustained serious lower-body injuries and was taken to Austin Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith stated the 17-year-old rider was unlicensed. He said the vehicle involved was an unregistered motorcycle modified to exceed legal speed limits, with its pedals removed, and was capable of speeds up to 90 km/h. The injured 17-year-old may face charges including culpable driving and dangerous riding causing death upon his discharge from hospital.

This incident was the 19th road fatality in Victoria for the month at the time of reporting. Police noted a rise in incidents involving electric rideables following the COVID-19 lockdown years and described it as a "nationwide issue."

Queensland: Double Fatality in Greenbank

On Thursday night at approximately 9:00 PM, a collision occurred on Middle Road in Greenbank, in Logan south of Brisbane, between a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and an e-bike.

Initial police investigations indicate the motorcycle was overtaking a car when it collided with the e-bike, which was traveling in the opposite direction. A 16-year-old male and a 15-year-old female riding the e-bike were pronounced deceased at the scene. Police reported that the e-bike was believed not to have its headlights activated at the time of the collision.

The 52-year-old male motorcycle rider was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in serious condition and was later reported to be stable. The Forensic Crash Unit is conducting an investigation and has requested witnesses or individuals with dashcam footage to come forward.

Western Australia: Two Separate Fatal Collisions

Incident in Mandurah

On a Monday at approximately 5:10 PM, a collision occurred between a push scooter and a Mazda sedan on Mandurah Terrace near Stewart Street in Mandurah, south of Perth.

An 11-year-old male riding the scooter sustained critical injuries and was transported to Peel Health Campus, where he later died. The 46-year-old male driver of the car stopped at the scene and is assisting police with inquiries. Police confirmed the boy was riding a push scooter, not an e-scooter.

Incident in Swan View

On Monday at approximately 6:40 PM, a 50-year-old man riding an e-bike died after a collision with a Transperth bus at the intersection of Marlboro Road and Morrison Road in Swan View, Perth. The man sustained critical injuries and died at the scene.

Authorities have reported that at least 12 people have died on Western Australian roads and footpaths due to e-rideable accidents since 2022.

Regulatory Responses and Proposals

Queensland: The Most Aggressive Overhaul

The Queensland government has introduced legislation proposing new regulations for e-bikes, e-scooters, and personal mobility devices. The proposed rules follow a parliamentary inquiry initiated after reports of e-mobility-related injuries and deaths.

Key Provisions:

• Licensing and Age Requirements:

  • Riders must be at least 16 years old.
  • Riders must hold at least a Queensland Class C learner's license ($77.55 for three years).
  • Individuals aged 12 to 17 may ride under parental supervision.
  • Exemptions apply for individuals with disabilities or medical conditions.

• Speed Limits:

  • 12 km/h limit on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths.
  • 25 km/h limit on other shared paths when not passing pedestrians.

• Device Compliance:

  • Devices exceeding 25 km/h would be classified as motorcycles, requiring registration and insurance.
  • E-bikes must comply with European Standard EN15194 by February 2027.
  • E-scooters must be limited to 25 km/h by February 2027.

• Enforcement:

  • Police can seize and destroy illegal devices from July 1.
  • Random breath testing for e-mobility riders begins July 1.
  • New fines for exceeding speed limits range from $333 to $751.
  • Parents may be held liable for fines incurred by minors.

• Implementation Timeline:

  • Laws take effect July 1, 2026, with a six-month transition period.
  • Ban on under-16s riding alone and license requirements start August 31.

Stakeholder Reactions to Queensland Proposals

The Opposition:

• Brisbane City Council CEO Dr. Kerrie Freeman stated there is no evidence that standard electric bikes carry higher risk than conventional bicycles, and that a blanket speed limit is inappropriate.
• Gold Coast City Council argued the age limit would affect teenagers using e-bikes for school commutes, and that low speed limits could create instability.
• Bicycle Queensland CEO Matthew Burke described the licensing requirement as an "overreach."
• Neuron and Lime warned the changes could end their services in Queensland, estimating a potential 50% drop in users.
• Queensland Tourism Industry Council warned the license requirement would create barriers for international visitors.

"There is no evidence that standard electrically power assisted cycles carry higher risk than conventional bicycles." – Brisbane City Council CEO Dr. Kerrie Freeman

The Support:

• Vision Australia supported some measures but expressed disappointment the bill did not include bans on riding on footpaths.
• Kloe Weedon, whose eight-year-old son died after being struck by an e-motorcycle, welcomed the proposed age limit.
• Australian Medical Association Queensland President Nick Yim supported the age ban.

Research and Data:

• A study from Norway found conventional bicycles accounted for more than twice as many injuries as e-bikes.
• Queensland Health reported over 6,300 e-mobility related emergency department presentations in the year to March 2025.
• Twelve deaths occurred in e-mobility-related incidents in Queensland in 2025.

Other Jurisdictions

Western Australia:
The WA government has stated it would support 32 of 33 recommendations from an e-rideable law review, including penalties for retailers who assist in illegally modifying e-rideables. The government has paused implementation, requesting the Commonwealth take action on stronger border controls.

New South Wales:
The NSW government has introduced laws allowing police to seize and destroy modified or overpowered e-bikes. Police have established Strike Force Puma to target unauthorized group ride events on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Tasmania:
A 15-year-old male died in an e-bike crash on New Year's Eve. Tasmania Police are investigating whether the device met the legal definition of an e-bike. The Transport Minister indicated ongoing collaboration with other jurisdictions to establish nationally consistent regulations.

Federal Government:
The federal government has announced impending changes to standardize the types of devices allowed for import into Australia and sold as e-bikes. Non-compliant devices may still be imported but cannot be sold as e-bikes in Australia.