VICTORIA Police have launched a new road policing enforcement effort targeting reckless e-bike riders. Operation Consider has been launched in response to a significant increase in road trauma involving e-bikes. New police data shows there were 144 e-bike collisions in 2024, up from 79 in 2023. Provisional analysis of 2025 collision data indicates there were at least 113 e-bike collisions as at 30 July this year.
One high-profile incident involving an allegedly illegally modified e-bike was the death of Hastings resident William Lothian, who was hit and killed by on Frankston Flinders Road on 12 May. Police allege the 24-year-old rider, Jacob Charleston, was unlicenced, had methamphetamine in his system, and was riding a highly modified bike with a 5000-watt motor fitted. Charleston is currently on bail, with a bail review hearing scheduled for 21 August and a committal hearing scheduled for October.
Operation Consider will involve police members patrolling on foot and using bicycles, motorcycles and highway patrol vehicles to target riders using overpowered and illegal e-bikes. If an e-bike power output exceeds 200 watts (for power-assisted bicycle), exceeds 250 watts or travels more than 25km/h (for electrically-powered assisted cycle), or the motor is not the secondary source of power, then it is overpowered. An overpowered e-bike is considered a motorcycle and subject to the same road rules as other motorcycles including licencing, registration, and drink and drug driving penalties.
“The increase in e-bike usage has also meant that unfortunately we’ve seen a rise in road trauma involving these vehicles,” said Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir. “Nine times out of ten, the e-bikes involved in these collisions are either overpowered, non-compliant or they are not being used in accordance with the road rules.
“We acknowledge there may be some confusion among the community when it comes to e-bikes, however the onus is on riders to ensure they understand and comply with the rules before using their e-bike. “We’re putting e-bike riders on notice – check your bike, make sure it’s compliant and obey the rules – failure to do so and there could be some hefty penalties coming your way.”
First published in the Mornington News – 12 August 2025
