Police in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region are issuing an urgent warning to parents and carers about the dangers of modified electric bicycles, following a major safety operation that has already resulted in hundreds of legal interventions.
Operation Shore Safe's Crackdown on E-Bike Modifications
Operation Shore Safe, a targeted initiative launched in October 2025 to improve safety in coastal communities from the Central Coast to Port Stephens, has initiated 386 legal processes and laid 16 charges. During a single deployment on Sunday, November 9, officers conducted approximately 50 engagements with e-bike riders, focusing heavily on the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area.
Newcastle-Hunter Sector Highway Patrol Chief Inspector Thomas Barnes revealed that a common theme emerged during these interactions. "A number of parents and carers told us they were unaware their children had modified their e-bikes or realised how fast those bikes could travel," he stated.
Parental Vigilance Crucial for Community Safety
Chief Inspector Barnes emphasised the critical role parents and caregivers play in preventing road tragedies. "It's important that parents and carers understand what their kids are riding and take the time to check whether those bikes have been altered, because even small modifications can make them unsafe and illegal," he advised.
Police have been proactively contacting the parents of young riders to provide education and advice, issuing infringement notices where appropriate. The operation involves a multi-faceted approach using motorcycle police, trail bike officers, bicycle patrols, and highway patrol vehicles.
Ongoing Safety Efforts Across the Region
Operation Shore Safe will continue its deployments throughout the target areas until February, with a presence in high-traffic locations like the popular Fernleigh Track. The initiative is designed to promote safer behaviour on roads, footpaths, and other high-volume pedestrian areas, particularly concerning the growing use of e-scooters and e-bikes.
Chief Inspector Barnes expressed satisfaction with the operation's progress and community response. "Police will continue engaging with e-bike riders, young people, parents, and carers across the region to make sure everyone is doing the right thing and keeping our roads and shared spaces safe," he said.
"At the end of the day, our priority is making sure these kids get home safely and don't become another road tragedy, something we've sadly seen far too often." The comments highlight the serious consequences of modified e-bikes, which have contributed to a disproportionate number of road trauma incidents in the Northern Region this year.
