Ex-ABC radio presenter in hospital after being hit by e-bike
The family of former ABC Classic presenter Margaret Throsby wants to see teenagers' use of certain e-bikes restricted after she was badly injured on a shared pathway.
The 84-year-old suffered a hip fracture and head injuries when she was struck by an e-bike being ridden by two teenage boys.
The incident happened on a shared path in the Illawarra, south of Sydney, last Friday.
The veteran broadcaster, who spent 55 years as a renowned presenter across the ABC, remains in hospital where she is recovering after surgery.
Ms Throsby's daughter Holly Throsby, a musician and author, said her mother was badly hurt.
Margaret Throsby worked at the ABC for 55 years, and is recovering in hospital after the accident. (ABC Archives)
"It was one of those massive fat bikes that kind of looked like a motorcycle, so it's very heavy and then you've got two boys on it," she said.
"It was a really high impact, so she's broken her hip and thumb and she had some really big haematomas on her head.
"It was a really sickening scene."
Ms Throsby said the teenage riders apologised and waited with her mother for emergency services to arrive.
Holly Throsby has called for better regulation of the bikes. (Supplied: Allen & Unwin/Yanni Kronenburg)
Ms Throsby said she wanted the use of e-bikes restricted among children because it seemed "civically irresponsible" to allow unlicensed children to ride such heavy, fast bikes.
"These fat tyred e-bikes closely resemble motorbikes, and yet it's become completely normalised for them to be ridden by teenagers, often two on one bike … on the same paths as walkers, and often without helmets," she said.
"It feels inevitable that more injuries or even fatalities will occur if there isn't some change to legislation and enforcement of existing legislation."
Safety concerns
In a statement, a Transport for NSW spokesperson said any serious injury on shared paths was concerning.
Restrictions on high-powered e-bikes have been introduced, as the state government explores age limits. (ABC Radio Sydney: Declan Bowring)
"E-bikes can provide a healthy, affordable and sustainable transport option, but bikes must be legal types, and riders must use them safely and follow the road rules," they said.
"On shared paths, riders must always give way to pedestrians."
Figures from the Sydney Children's Hospital Network show the number of children coming to hospital with e-bike injuries has risen by a third in the past year to 94.
The NSW government earlier this year announced reforms including a power output enforcement of 250 watts, and motorised assistance being cut out at 25 kilometres an hour.
NSW Police can now stop and inspect e-bikes suspected of being non-compliant and have powers to seize illegal devices.
A recent operation on Sydney's Northern Beaches saw 36 illegal e-bikes seized.
But E-bike Safety Australia's Ben Horwood said the incident highlighted a need for better education.
"Young riders, particularly those without a driver's license, need to have mandatory education and also have accountability [by] having an ID tag on the back of a bike," he said.
Ben Horwood is calling for measures like license tags and education in school to be explored by the state government. (Supplied: E-Bike Safety Australia)
Mr Horwood's company runs e-bike safety courses in 12 NSW high schools, including Bulli High School in the Illawarra.
He has called on the NSW government to mandate and fund the program in all high schools.
"A e-bike is a high-powered vehicle for a 12-year-old," he said.
"They haven't been taught how to ride it in 90 per cent of the cases and they have no understanding of road rules."
NSW Minister for Transport John Graham and NSW Police have been contacted for comment.
Ms Throsby said her mother was "in OK spirits" but it would take a long time to recover from the incident.
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