Northern Beaches: Three teens injured as e-bike crash reignites calls for safety reforms

Community concern over the safety and regulation of e-bikes on Sydney’s northern beaches has intensified following a collision involving three teenage riders and a car in Manly.

A collision involving three teenage e-bike riders and a car on Pittwater Rd in Manly has increased community safety concerns. Picture: Supplied

Community concern over the safety and regulation of e-bikes on Sydney’s northern beaches has intensified following a collision involving three teenage riders and a car in Manly.

A number of NSW Ambulance units, including intensive care paramedics, responded to reports of an accident between a car and three teenage boys riding one e-bike on Pittwater Rd, near Hope Avenue, about 4.45pm on Tuesday.

One of the teenagers sustained serious leg injuries, while the other two escaped with minor wounds that included bruising.

Paramedics treated the trio on-site before taking the most severely injured rider to Northern Beaches Hospital for further medical care.

The driver of the car was not reported to have been injured in the incident, which police also attended to manage the aftermath and investigate.

Three teenage boys on one e-bike collided with a car on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

The crash has reignited concerns, particularly among locals across the northern beaches, about e-bike safety and crashes involving riders travelling on footpaths.

Former police officer and ex-Liberal northern beaches councillor Pat Daley said senior citizens, in particular, were “now fearful of using our footpaths”.

One teenager sustained serious leg injuries and was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital for treatment. Picture: Supplied

“I call on our local MPs to do more regarding this escalating problem,” Mr Daley said.

Hundreds of complaints about e-bikes last year prompted a councillor’s plea for authorities to toughen up road rules and regulations around e-bike use on pedestrian paths — and the speed at which they travel.

Former police officer and ex-northern beaches councillor Pat Daley said locals had been left shaken by the latest e-bike incident. Picture: Damian Shaw

This followed a safety audit the council conducted with Northern Beaches Police in 2023 to investigate problems linked to the upsurge of e-bike usage in the area.

The audit found the key issues to be speed, lack of helmet usage, and limited knowledge of NSW road rules among young riders.

The report also confirmed concerns about the risk of death or serious injury to pedestrians by the increasing size, speed and popularity 0f e-bikes, with reports of riders speeding over 40km/h on the Manly seafront.