Police received multiple calls after dozens of young e-bike riders were filmed riding across Sydney’s Harbor Bridge yesterday.
About 40 people cycled across the NSW landmark during peak traffic on Tuesday, including at least one without a helmet.
Under current law, it is illegal to ride bicycles, including electric bicycles, on the bridge’s main deck, and a bicycle path is set aside from the road.
NSW Police confirmed officers were called to Hixon Road in Sydney at around 4.30pm yesterday following multiple reports of a large group riding bicycles in a dangerous manner.
Around 40 riders were spotted riding dangerously on the Harbor Bridge but were dispersed when police arrived.
“Police were unable to launch an investigation due to safety concerns,” a spokesperson told 9news.com.au.
“At around 5.30pm on the same day, police found the group in Mrs McCauley’s chair, where they were spoken to and dispersed.”
No injuries or property damage were reported and the investigation is ongoing.
The Harbor Bridge stunt footage has sparked renewed calls for tougher rules governing the use of e-bikes on Australia’s roads and footpaths.
Prime Minister Chris Minns has called the behavior of e-bike poop “unacceptable” and the government is working on a solution.
“It’s unfortunate that the original decision was to go for 500 watts instead of 250 watts, because we’re in a situation where we have close to a million machines on the streets of Sydney and we’re about to close the barn doors,” he said.
“We are working on the program and will be announcing more soon.”
Shadow Transport Secretary Natalie Ward said wattage limits alone were not enough.
“Joy rides on the Sydney Harbor Bridge are foolish, unsafe and a middle finger to police and the community,” she told parliament yesterday.
“These kids know they are not accountable and untouchable until there is license plate mandate, enforcement and accountability.”
She said e-bike riders who do the wrong thing know there will be no consequences, and called on Transport Secretary John Graham to introduce e-bike number plates to restore accountability.
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