Hidden danger lurking under Christmas trees this year
Australian parents have been warned about the risk of serious injury to children this Christmas due to the proliferation of e-bikes and the dangers posed by illegal, overpowered models.
E-bikes and e-scooters have grown rapidly in popularity, but have also led to an increase in injuries and vehicle-related accidents.
A hospital on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast treated 176 people for injuries from e-bike accidents and falls between January 2023 and December 2024, about one every four days, according to a study in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
In Queensland, 17-year-old Hudson Gagg died after being involved in an e-bike accident on the Gold Coast in September.
His family is now calling for more regulation and security reforms.
The Queensland government is holding a parliamentary inquiry into e-bike and e-scooter safety, which will report its findings in March.
An e-bike rider died and another was seriously injured in NSW last week after they were involved in separate crashes.
The causes of both crashes are being investigated by NSW police.
On Tuesday, a man in his 30s died after the e-bike he was riding collided with a garbage truck at Ultimo in inner Sydney.
In a separate incident, a man in his 50s was left fighting for his life after his e-bike collided with a truck on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Authorities have warned about the dangers of illegal, high-powered e-bikes roaming under Christmas trees over the next few weeks.
“If you’re thinking of buying an e-bike for Christmas, make sure it complies with NSW law,” said NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Driver.
“Don’t be pressured by your kids, peers or salespeople to buy the most powerful bike.
“Police don’t want someone to make a mistake that could cost them their life or cause serious injury.”
E-bikes are subject to strict regulations in NSW.
The rider should only push the bike with pedals and motors to assist when riding uphill or against a headwind.
Additionally, the engine must be cut off when the bike reaches a speed of 25 km/h.
There are estimated to be 600,000 e-bikes in NSW, with many more expected to be given as gifts this Christmas.
The NSW government has moved to impose power restrictions on e-bikes with legislation introducing power limits of 250 watts, reducing previous changes that imposed a 500-watt limit.
The Australian government has committed to introducing import requirements for e-bikes sold in Australia to meet European safety standards “EN 15194”.
This has led to the NSW government warning parents about e-bike safety and the dangers of some high-powered vehicles on the market.
“E-bikes are great for getting kids outside, actively and independently, but they need to be safe,” Transport Minister John Graham said.
“We see devices on the market that are very powerful, very easy to replace, and very difficult for parents to evaluate.
“It’s about making sure the bike your teenager rides behaves like a bike and not like a motorcycle.
“Our message to parents is simple: check the label, check the wattage, and talk to your kids about staying safe.”
