A 21-year-old man has been charged in relation to an alleged hooning incident involving e-bikes in inner Melbourne earlier this year. Police reported that on February 8, approximately 100 youths were riding dirt bikes, bicycles, and e-bikes on Lakeside Drive in Albert Park. Reports were made around 4pm, indicating that the group was disrupting traffic and obstructing both lanes of nearby Ross Gregory Drive.
During the disturbance, one rider was observed performing a burnout, resulting in his dirt bike becoming lodged in chain bollards on the road. When two police officers attempted to intervene, they were surrounded and verbally abused by other riders. In an aggressive display, some riders reportedly flicked rocks with their bike wheels, striking a police vehicle. One individual, riding a modified e-bike, allegedly caused damage to the police vehicle by performing a stationary burnout against it.
Subsequently, police executed a search warrant at a residence on Camms Road, Cranbourne, on May 6 at 6am, where they seized cannabis, cannabis seeds, electronic devices, and clothing. The young man was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including unlicensed driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, criminal damage, and cultivation and possession of a narcotic plant. He has since been released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 25.
It is important to note that modified e-bikes and e-scooters may be classified as motorcycles if they exceed 200 watts of power. Consequently, riders are required to hold a valid licence and ensure their vehicle is registered in compliance with the Road Safety Act to legally ride these vehicles on public roads.