In response to community concerns around large groups of teenagers riding e-bikes on the Northern Beaches, including footage circulating on social media of teenagers taking over Long Reef Golf Club course on their e-bikes, Northern Beaches PAC conducted Operation E-Voltage on 20 and 21 January 2026.
A still from a video showing a large group of e-bike riders on the Long Reef Golf Course on 16 January 2026.
Over the two days, police from various units deployed across the Northern Beaches to identify and address non-compliant or modified e-bikes, as well as helmet-related offences.
Police stopped a total of 149 e-bike riders and issued 73 cautions for operating non-compliant or modified e-bikes and failing to wear helmets correctly.
Police reported seeing an increase in incidents involving large groups of teenagers riding e-bikes and called on the community to report as soon as witnessing them to 131 444 so police can act swiftly.
Police have also called on parents to not buy high‑powered or modified e‑bikes for their children. They added not to allow existing bikes to be altered to operate illegally. These devices can place both riders and the public at significant risk and may result in dangerous behaviour, seizures, and penalties.
“I was shocked to see the videos and photos of irresponsible riding of e-bikes on the Long Reef Golf Course and surrounds,” Jacqui Scruby, Independent Member for Pittwater, said in a statement on her Instagram account.
“It is unacceptable to trespass, and this behaviour was inconsiderate and disrespectful to both the public and public property. While the footage may seem like harmless fun, only
today a 14-year-old was injured in an e-bike traffic accident at Newport.
Image: Northern Beaches Police Area Command
“I have shared the footage with the Premier’s office and various Ministers with jurisdiction. Sadly, while many e-bike riders do the right thing, it is acts like these that show why greater rider accountability is needed. Measures such as registration plates would both help police identify those breaking the rules and deter misbehaviour in the first place by making riders easier to identify.
“My draft e-bike bill includes better education for young riders, a licensing scheme and enhanced enforcement powers. If adopted by the government, each of these initiatives would work well towards avoiding situations like this again.”
Legal notice and safety information provided by Northern Beaches Police:
In NSW, e‑bikes are only legal if the rider is primarily pedalling. The motor cannot be the only thing moving the bike. NSW Government rules specify that power‑assisted pedal cycles cannot be propelled solely by the motor, and electrically power‑assisted cycles must cut motor assistance when pedalling stops and the speed exceeds 6 km/h. Significant penalties apply for riding non‑compliant devices, including possible seizure.
NSW law also limits e‑bikes to two legal categories:
Power‑assisted pedal cycles up to 200W, which cannot propel the bike by motor alone.
Electrically power‑assisted cycles up to 500W, where motor assistance tapers off above 6 km/h and cuts out completely at 25 km/h or when pedalling stops.
Any e‑bike modified to operate on throttle alone, or to exceed these limits, is illegal on NSW roads and paths.
Damage at Forestville overpass
Northern Beaches Police are investigating reports of graffiti and malicious damage, including a broken lift, occurring at the pedestrian overpass at Warringah Road and Starkey Street, Forestville.
About 2am on 20 January 2026, police stopped two young people in the area who were caught in possession of a spray can and disposable camera.
Investigations are ongoing.
Counterfeit Notes
Continuing on from our previous Crime Watch, police are seeing an increase in the use of counterfeit notes within local small business and licensed premises.
Police are aware of incidents in which offenders used $100 fake notes to purchase a small quantity of lollies and receive a large quantity of legal tender in change.
Police have seized some notes marked “props” or similar.
