Latest news with #OperationConsider
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Police crack down on e-bikes as crashes, injuries spike
Victoria Police are ramping up efforts to tackle the growing issue of illegal and overpowered e-bikes on Melbourne's roads, as the number of crashes involving e-bikes continues to climb. The new initiative, Operation Consider, launched on Wednesday and involves police patrols on foot, by bike, motorcycle, and highway patrol vehicles to enforce e-bike compliance in the CBD. The rise in e-bike crashes has been a point of concern for police, with new data revealing a significant increase in e-bike injuries. In 2023, there were 79 recorded e-bike crashes. This figure jumped by 82 per cent in 2024, with 144 reported incidents. Early analysis of 2025 data shows there were at least 113 e-bike crashes as of July 30. The recorded incidents include fatal, serious injury, and non-injury crashes involving e-bikes. Under current regulations, there are two types of legal e-bikes in Victoria. The first is the electrically powered-assisted cycle (EPAC), which features a motor that cannot exceed 250 watts, with a maximum speed limit of 25km/h. Riders of these bikes are required to pedal to engage the motor. The second type is a power-assisted bicycle, which also features a motor but does not require pedalling to activate. The motor's power output cannot exceed 200 watts for these bikes. Any e-bike that exceeds these power or speed limits, or has a motor that is not considered a secondary source of propulsion, is considered overpowered. Such bikes are classified as motorcycles, meaning they must follow the same road rules, including requirements for licensing, registration, and penalties for drug and alcohol-related offences.
The Age
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Age
Police crack down on e-bikes as crashes, injuries spike
Victoria Police are ramping up efforts to tackle the growing issue of illegal and overpowered e-bikes on Melbourne's roads, as the number of crashes involving e-bikes continues to climb. The new initiative, Operation Consider, launched on Wednesday and involves police patrols on foot, by bike, motorcycle, and highway patrol vehicles to enforce e-bike compliance in the CBD. The rise in e-bike crashes has been a point of concern for police, with new data revealing a significant increase in e-bike injuries. In 2023, there were 79 recorded e-bike crashes. This figure jumped by 82 per cent in 2024, with 144 reported incidents. Early analysis of 2025 data shows there were at least 113 e-bike crashes as of July 30. The recorded incidents include fatal, serious injury, and non-injury crashes involving e-bikes. Under current regulations, there are two types of legal e-bikes in Victoria. The first is the electrically powered-assisted cycle (EPAC), which features a motor that cannot exceed 250 watts, with a maximum speed limit of 25km/h. Riders of these bikes are required to pedal to engage the motor. The second type is a power-assisted bicycle, which also features a motor but does not require pedalling to activate. The motor's power output cannot exceed 200 watts for these bikes. Any e-bike that exceeds these power or speed limits, or has a motor that is not considered a secondary source of propulsion, is considered overpowered. Such bikes are classified as motorcycles, meaning they must follow the same road rules, including requirements for licensing, registration, and penalties for drug and alcohol-related offences.
