Two horror e-bike incidents in Tugun spark calls for urgent review and legislation changes in Qld

Families of two young boys seriously hurt by rogue e-bike riders on the Gold Coast are demanding an urgent review of legislation after opening up about the trauma they suffered.

E-bikes incidents on the Gold Coast have become more common. Photo: Supplied,

Families of two young boys left seriously injured after being struck by e-bikes at a Gold Coast park are demanding an urgent review of legislation governing the devices.

On January 4 a five-year-old boy and his family were on a day out in Tugun when tragedy struck around 6pm.

The boy was allegedly hit by an e-bike going up to 40km/h and was dragged up to 20 metres along the pathway.

“A shocking and sickening feeling radiated through my entire body,” the boy’s grandmother said.

Paramedics rushed to the scene and took the five-year-old to John Flynn Hospital. He was then transferred to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he stayed for four days.

“It was a nightmare, not knowing if there was/is/could still be severe or permanent damage,” the grandmother said.

The family said they had been weary of e-bikes in the past and said laws needed to change.

“I see these e-bikes with young children, teenagers and adults going way over 25km/h on paths, roads and the Gold Coast Highway,” the grandmother said.

“Sometimes there is three kids on a bike, most without helmets.

“These kids don’t know road rules.

“I have seen some pass me on the Gold Coast Highway in the 70km/h zone, going 70km/h.”

Five-year-old boy taken to hospital after being hit by an e-bike in Tugun. Photo: Supplied

A month earlier, on December 7, Gold Coast resident Alyson Woodley had taken her four-year-old son, Archer, to the same park in Tugun.

A Gold Coast police spokeswoman said officers were investigating after Archer was allegedly hit by an e-bike at around 10am.

“It is alleged than an electric bike was travelling southbound along a footpath at the end of Wydbera St when it veered onto the grass and collided with a four-year-old boy,” the spokeswoman said.

“The collision allegedly caused the boy to be propelled into the air before his head and body hit the ground.”

Ms Woodley said she was standing one metre away from Archer when he was hit by the rider, who was allegedly riding on the wrong side of the footpath.

“The boy struck my son at high speeds from behind, with the impact affecting his kidneys and right hip,” she said.

“It was a horrifying sight and I feared for his life.”

Archer was assessed by paramedics and taken to Tugun satellite hospital before he was transferred to Gold Coast University Hospital.

The Gold Coast police spokeswoman alleged the rider fled the scene after the collision and investigations were ongoing.

Ms Woodley said she had been suffering with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) since the incident.

“This area, where we go every week, is no longer safe, especially with the growing number of e-bikes speeding through the area.”

Ms Woodley said she backed the calls for laws and legislations surrounding e-bikes to be changed.

“What will it take for something to be done,” she said.

“Will it take a fatality?

“These e-bikes should never have been allowed to be sold without appropriate legislation in place.”

Following the incident with Archer Division 14 councillor Gail O’Neill sent a letter to Premier David Crisafulli calling for an urgent review.

“For some time now e-bikes have been operating on shared pathways without speed restrictions,” she said in the letter.

“This is proving to be not only problematic but indeed extremely dangerous to pedestrians.

“Unfortunately many e-bike riders do not wear helmets even though I know that this is a legal requirement, and it is unrealistic to expect Queensland Police Service have the resources to patrol and monitor e-bike rider behaviours on the kilometres of shared pathways in our city.”

Ms O’Neill said she commended council’s attempt to try and regulate speed along shared pathways, but it wasn’t the solution.

“The City of Gold Coast has, in recent years, surveyed usage on ocean paths in southern Gold Coast and has implemented pathway treatments such as extra signage, in an effort to educate all users but enforcement of speeds and rider behaviour lies with the Queensland Police Service.

“In my opinion, the Queensland Police Service and the City’s local laws do not have the correct legislation to back them up in relation to e-bikes.”

Division 14 councillor Gail O’Neill. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Ms O’Neill said it was inevitable the dangerous behaviours were going to “soar” with the increased ownership of e-bikes on the Gold Coast.

Division 10 councillor Darren Taylor has also called for laws to be reviewed.

Gold Coast police superintendent Brett Jackson said they were aware and concerned about the rise in incidents involving e-bikes across the region.

He said they had received multiple reports of people riding e-bikes without helmets and at high speeds.

“This behaviour is not only illegal but also incredibly dangerous,” he said.

“Wearing a helmet and following road rules are a non-negotiable and they are in place to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.”

Supt Jackson said e-bikes were permitted on footpaths, shared paths and designated bike lanes, but must always give way to pedestrians.

Riders must be at least 12 years old, and at least 16 years old to ride without adult supervision.

Riders also must not carry passengers and must not travel over 12km/h on footpaths and 25km/h elsewhere, such as bike paths.

The state government has been contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.

WHAT RESIDENTS SAID ABOUT E-BIKES ON THE GOLD COAST

“It was only a matter of time before a child was bowled over by an e-bike on the pathway,” Sandy Melit said.

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“Something has to be done. Let’s not just talk about it. Out of control. Most people are responsible. Safety is paramount for everyone,” Bev Robinson

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“When is enough is enough. We have been witnessing this daily for years now. Letters to MP’s are met with ‘we are doing all we can and their youth crime policy is going to fix this’,” Kevin Morgan.

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“We holiday at rainbow bay every year and we see near misses every day. We have young grandchildren that play at the parks and crossing the path backwards and forwards to there parents, so dangerous,” Debbie Griffiths

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“Every single week at least one of my friends is mentioning an issue. Yesterday one with a 12 year old boy riding with two teenage passengers. Three on one bike! Crossed the road in front of my car. I had to brake suddenly. The only one with a helmet was the driver, who didn’t even glance at my car,” Christine Periott

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“The young teenager riding his e-bike along Currumbin Creek Rd is lucky he isn’t in hospital tonight after he crossed the intersection at Mainsail St blatantly riding through a red light, no helmet of course resulting in me having to brake quickly to avoid hitting him and people say we are too critical of the kids on e-bikes. I would like these kids to be better educated as the police obviously don’t have the time or resources to caution them,” Jeanette Adams

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“Very soon I’m guessing there will have to be some kind of review undertaken to deal with the vast increase in fast scooters and e-bikes. The young are not really aware of the damage they can cause if they hit others on footpaths especially the elderly and young parents pushing prams. It’s going to be a difficult period until authorities find a way for both to coexist,” Eugene Semenikow

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“I’m shocked there hasn’t been more accidents with e-bikes. I saw a young girl, no more than 10 years old with her two younger sisters sandwiched on one bike flying down Guineas creek road! On the road! How the hell is this allowed,” Kenny McConnell.

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Originally published as Two horror e-bike incidents in Tugun spark calls for urgent review and legislation changes in Qld