Police in Western Australia have taken dramatic action against teenagers riding illegal electric bikes and scooters, releasing footage of the confiscated vehicles being sent to the crusher.
Operation Moorhead: A Forceful Response to Public Nuisance
Under Operation Moorhead, officers have seized and destroyed dozens of so-called 'rideables' from Perth's northern suburbs since January. The crackdown was launched in response to a flood of complaints from residents about children terrorising suburban streets.
Police have confiscated 36 bikes and scooters from youths aged between 11 and 16. Authorities have warned parents they could face significant fines if the dangerous behaviour continues. The issues reported include:
- Teenagers intimidating pedestrians and flouting traffic laws.
- Reckless riding causing near-misses with cars.
- In some instances, riders hurling objects at vehicles and boasting about their antics on social media.
The Legal Grey Zone of High-Powered E-Rideables
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch clarified the law late last year, stating that any e-bike capable of exceeding 25km/h is classified as an unregistered motorcycle. Riders must also be aged 16 or over.
"When they don't meet the criteria of an e-rideable, they are purely an unregistered motorcycle," Commissioner Blanch said. "They are going to be seized and destroyed every single time... they are always heading to the crusher." He added that many purchasers mistakenly believe these high-powered models are legal.
Frustrated residents in coastal suburbs like Hillarys, Sorrento, and Quinns Rocks have taken to social media to complain about organised 'ride-outs', where groups meet to drive dangerously and antagonise the public.
A National Safety Crisis Escalates
The problem is not confined to Perth. Across Australia, incidents involving e-bikes are sparking alarm and calls for stricter regulation.
In a tragic case, teenager Lucas Reid died after crashing his e-bike in Tasmania on New Year's Eve. This followed his miraculous survival of the Hillcrest jumping castle tragedy in 2021.
In New South Wales, two shocking incidents in Sydney have fuelled demands for mandatory number plates. In Bondi, two 16-year-olds on an e-bike were struck by a car, while in Crows Nest, three 15-year-olds were hit. All escaped with minor injuries.
NSW opposition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward argues that licence plates, particularly for under-18s, are needed to ensure accountability. "For young riders, accountability can't just be a trip to the hospital emergency room," she stated.
The WA government's inquiry into e-rideable safety was prompted by the death of Perth father Thanh Phan, who was struck by an e-scooter ridden by a drunk tourist earlier this year.
