Two teenagers died following a crash between an e-bike and a motorcycle at Greenbank on 12 March, in a tragedy that raises fresh questions about the regulation and enforcement of increasingly powerful e-bikes across Australia.
The collision occurred at 9pm when a Harley Davidson motorcycle overtook a vehicle on Middle Road before colliding head-on with an e-bike travelling in the opposite direction. The teenage boy and girl riding the e-bike were both declared deceased at the scene, while the male rider of the motorcycle was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in serious but stable condition. It is believed the e-bike did not have headlights on at the time of the collision.
The Greenbank incident is not an isolated tragedy. There have been four e-bike deaths involving children and teenagers in Australia since July, with three occurring in Queensland. Last October, an eight-year-old died after a head-on collision between two e-bikes on the Sunshine Coast, and a 17-year-old rider was involved in a fatal crash with a car on the Gold Coast. In Western Australia, a teenage boy is awaiting trial for manslaughter after allegedly killing a 59-year-old while riding an unlicensed electric motorbike through a park in Perth in July.
The pattern of incidents reflects a fundamental gap in Australia's regulatory framework. E-bikes are heavier and faster than regular bikes, often capable of speeds around 40–60km/h, yet enforcement remains patchy. Queensland was an early adopter of e-micromobility, has Australia's most permissive e-scooter rules for children, and enjoys a warm climate and long riding season, all of which increase exposure.
Police have responded with targeted enforcement campaigns. Queensland police seized at least 100 illegal devices and handed 2100 fines to riders during a crackdown in December. Other jurisdictions have introduced tougher measures. Mirroring a move in Western Australia, NSW has introduced legislation that will allow police to crush non-compliant, high-powered e-bikes, including so-called "fat bikes" and other throttle-only devices.
The challenge extends beyond enforcement of existing laws. Current laws do little to prevent riders from accessing and riding high-powered or modified e-bikes that fall outside these limits. Parents and retailers often do not fully understand the distinction between legal e-bikes and unregistered electric motorcycles, nor the risks they pose to young, inexperienced riders.
International evidence suggests clearer boundaries are necessary. Minimum age limits for e-bike use are common in some countries, typically 16 years, recognising these vehicles require cognitive and physical maturity comparable to those of motorcycles. Children injured on e-bikes are twice as likely to end up in hospital than those using regular bikes.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the incident and are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant footage to come forward, with investigations continuing. But the Greenbank collision underscores a reality police chiefs have long warned of: without stronger regulation, clearer classification, and more consistent enforcement, Australia's e-bike death toll will likely continue to rise.