Ballina Deputy Mayor Damien Loone has issued a stark warning about the rising danger posed by high-powered e-bikes on the region’s streets and footpaths, saying it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.
A retired police officer, Cr Loone says he’s been alarmed by the number of incidents involving young people riding large, powerful e-bikes at speed, often without helmets, on roads, bike paths, and pedestrian walkways.
“Some of these bikes are bigger and more powerful than the old Postie bikes,” Cr Loone said.
“But because they’re electric, they don’t need registration. I’ve seen kids on footpaths doing high speeds with no helmets, even three on a bike at once. I reckon someone’s going to die.”
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Although Australian regulations limit e-bikes to a top speed of 25 km/h without pedal assistance, Cr Loone says many models – some purchased online or brought in from Queensland, are illegally fitted with throttles and modifications that allow them to exceed those limits. In some cases, bikes have reportedly reached speeds over 60 km/h.
“There was even a recent case where police pursued an e-bike doing 110 km/h. That’s outrageous, and extremely dangerous.”
He says part of the problem is that these bikes are slipping through regulatory cracks. They are too fast and heavy for shared paths but aren’t required to meet the same road compliance as motorcycles.
“There’s no courtesy on the footpaths anymore,” Cr Loone said. “They’re being ridden like motorbikes, not bicycles, and our public spaces aren’t designed for that kind of use.”
Cr Loone believes a stronger response is urgently needed from both the NSW Government and local schools.
“This is a policing issue now. But do the police have the time or resources to tackle it? And schools need to take a stand. These bikes shouldn’t be allowed on school grounds if they’re illegal.”
He also urged parents to think twice before buying e-bikes for teenagers.
“I know of one case where a kid’s parents were going to buy him a car, and he said, ‘No, I’d rather have an e-bike.’ That’s madness. Parents need to understand the risks and their responsibilities.”
Cr Loone said he’s regularly seen dangerous behaviour near Ballina’s CBD and along paths like North Creek Road and the North Wall. He described incidents where pedestrians – especially older residents, were startled or forced to move aside quickly to avoid collisions.
“They’re quiet, they come up fast, and you often don’t hear them. People walking dogs or chatting on footpaths are vulnerable. One wrong step, and it could be catastrophic.”
While Cr Loone owns and rides a legal, low-powered e-bike himself, he says the community is being put at risk by a growing number of illegally modified or misused machines.
“These bikes aren’t toys. Without proper regulation and enforcement, someone’s going to get seriously hurt, or worse. And unfortunately, it may take a tragedy before anything changes,” he said.
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