Groups of teenagers riding illegally modified electric bikes have become an increasingly common and controversial sight across some of Sydney’s most popular beachside suburbs, alarming residents and raising concerns about road and pedestrian safety.
In Manly, one of Sydney’s most visited coastal destinations, teenagers on high-powered e-bikes are frequently seen weaving through traffic, speeding along footpaths and ignoring safety rules such as helmet use. Locals say the situation has worsened significantly in recent years, with the bikes often travelling much faster than the legal speed limit of 25 km/h for electric bicycles.
Residents claim many of the bikes used by teenagers are “fatbikes”, a style of e-bike equipped with thick tyres designed for sand and off-road terrain. While popular among young riders heading to beaches, many of these bikes are allegedly modified to bypass speed restrictions, enabling them to travel at far higher speeds than permitted.
Chris, a local resident returning home after a swim, said he regularly sees teenagers riding recklessly on both roads and footpaths. According to him, some riders openly discuss how the bikes can be altered to remove speed limits and travel several times faster than intended.
The phenomenon is not limited to Manly. Similar scenes are being reported across affluent beachside neighbourhoods stretching from the Northern Beaches to Bondi in the east and Cronulla in the south. Residents say the number of teenagers using e-bikes has surged dramatically, creating growing frustration among motorists and pedestrians.
Hospitals have also reported a sharp rise in injuries related to e-bike accidents, further intensifying the debate around safety and enforcement. Critics argue that authorities have not been able to adequately enforce existing regulations, allowing dangerous riding behaviour to flourish.
The issue has gained wider attention in recent weeks after several viral videos surfaced online. One clip showed dozens of teenagers riding across a manicured golf course near Manly, while another captured a large group performing stunts and wheelies across the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a mass ride organised by a visiting US YouTuber. Other videos show riders speeding through shopping centres and occupying entire lanes of traffic.
Local resident Andre said he has witnessed fatbikes overtaking his scooter on footpaths even while he was travelling at speeds of up to 50 or 60 km/h on nearby roads. Another resident, Debbie, said she and her dog had been knocked over multiple times by young riders on the powerful bikes, which she described as resembling “mini motorbikes”.
With nearly 750,000 e-bikes currently on roads across New South Wales, state authorities estimate that tens of thousands of them may be illegal fatbikes.
Harold Scruby, chairman of the Pedestrian Council of Australia, compared the rapid spread of the trend to an uncontrollable outbreak, warning that the number of illegal bikes has been rising steadily for the past three years.
Observers believe the popularity of fatbikes among teenagers in Sydney’s coastal suburbs stems from several factors, including favourable weather for cycling, limited public transport in some areas and the purchasing power of affluent families. Some of the most popular models cost at least AUD 3,000, placing them well within reach for many households.
Regulatory loopholes have also contributed to the surge. In 2021, the federal government relaxed import requirements for e-bikes, meaning importers no longer needed to prove compliance with minimum safety standards. Two years later, the New South Wales government increased the permitted motor power for e-bikes to 500 watts.
Although regulations require riders travelling above 6 km/h to pedal and mandate that motors cut out once speeds reach 25 km/h, some retailers reportedly supply bikes with hidden features that allow owners to unlock higher speeds using a PIN code, theoretically restricting such use to private property.
Police say enforcement is difficult because chasing teenage riders could lead to dangerous accidents. Some teenagers themselves acknowledge the risks. Fourteen-year-old Robert, who had just returned from a swim in Manly, said he enjoys the freedom his fatbike provides but tries to keep it legal and avoid reckless behaviour.
However, with complaints continuing to pour in from pedestrians, motorists and local councils, pressure is mounting on authorities to tighten regulations and crack down on illegal e-bikes before the situation worsens further.
