E-bikes have become familiar on Australian streets, offering a convenient, eco-friendly, and often exhilarating way to get around.
For many Australians, they’re a fantastic way to keep active, run errands, or simply enjoy the great outdoors without the strain of a traditional pushbike.
But a recent tragedy has cast a harsh spotlight on the dangers of e-bikes—especially when they’re illegally modified.
Just before 7pm on a quiet evening in Hastings, a 69-year-old local man was returning home from a simple grocery run. As he crossed Frankston-Flinders Road, he was struck by an e-bike travelling at a staggering 80 km/h—more than three times the legal speed limit for e-bikes in Australia.
Despite being airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the man sadly passed away the following day. His death is the 12th road fatality recorded in Victoria since Saturday afternoon.
The rider, a 24-year-old man also from Hastings, was hospitalised with serious injuries. Police later revealed that the e-bike had been ‘significantly modified’, with extra batteries and makeshift repairs using duct tape and cable ties. The modifications allowed the bike to reach speeds more akin to a motorbike than a bicycle.
This incident has raised urgent questions about e-bike safety and legality. In Australia, e-bikes are only permitted to assist riders up to 25 km/h. Anything faster, or with a more powerful motor, is legally considered a motorcycle. That means it must be registered, the rider must be licensed, and the bike must be fitted with proper safety equipment—just like any other motor vehicle.
Inspector Craig McEvoy from the Major Collision Investigation Unit didn’t mince words: ‘It’s very dangerous if you’re travelling at 80-90km on a bicycle, you’re putting yourself and the rest of the community at risk.’ He added that the rider now faces significant charges as a result of his ‘poor decision’.
The appeal is obvious: more speed, more power, and the thrill of zipping past traffic. But these modifications often bypass crucial safety features, and the bikes themselves are rarely designed to handle such speeds. Makeshift repairs and DIY upgrades—like the duct tape and cable ties seen in this case—can turn a fun ride into a deadly weapon.
This tragedy comes during National Road Safety Week, a timely reminder that every road user—whether on foot, on a bike, or behind the wheel—has a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe.
As Inspector McEvoy urged, ‘Understand all the rules and regulations in place before you look to make any modifications to the bike. There are standards in place and they’re put there for a reason.’
As e-bikes continue to grow in popularity across communities, incidents like this serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible use and adherence to safety standards.
What are your thoughts on the growing presence of e-bikes in public spaces? Have you had positive or concerning experiences while sharing the road or footpath with them? Do you think current regulations are enough—or is more enforcement needed? Feel free to share your views or personal encounters in the comments below.
Also read: Local council cracks down on shared e-bikes as safety concerns grow
E-bikes and E-scooters should be banned from footpaths. Most do travel at much more than 25km, I thought they were only to be allowed at “walking pace. I personally have been knocked over by a cyclist on the footpath and he was on a normal bicycle, but speeding.
On a footpath or shared path 25 to 30 km/hr should be the maximum speed and that is during low use times. In high use times around 15 km/hr would be safer.
On a roadway then the applicable vehicle speed limit should apply.
There’ll be more hit and runs using electric bicycles and electric scooters than by cars. With cars, there’s some accountability with number plates and not being allowed on footpaths.
These e-scooters and bikes should be made to use the 1 metre cycle paths.
Abegail, I would be interested to here from you the outcome of this incident. Here we have a 69 year old man on an innocent shopping activity, having his life terminated (when he should be looking forward to many years of future enjoyment), because some rat bag broke all the laws regarding these dangerous machines. I’ll bet he gets something of a slap on the wrist and a 100 or so community service hours order!!! I’d give him 10 years for manslaughter!!