Teenager on e-motorcycle does wheelie, crashes into car while police attend separate incident

A reckless e-motorcycle stunt ended in a crash as police and paramedics were already on scene for a separate incident in Adelaide's southern suburbs. Body-worn camera footage captured a 16-year-old boy performing a wheelie on an electric dirt bike before colliding with a car.

The rider was flung approximately 20 meters from the impact but fortunately escaped serious injury. The incident occurred last Friday, June 26, near the Southgate Plaza shopping center in Morphett Vale, where officers were responding to a minor collision.

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This kind of reckless, irresponsible, and incredibly dangerous riding is disgraceful and shows the consequences of such unacceptable behaviour. While this rider is incredibly lucky, if you choose to take risks like this on the road then your luck will run out.

Superintendent Shane Johnson of the Traffic Services Branch condemned the "reckless, irresponsible, and incredibly dangerous riding." He emphasized the severe consequences of such behavior, stating that while the rider was lucky this time, "luck will run out" for those who take risks on the road. Johnson highlighted that riders of illegal e-bikes are vulnerable and have little protection.

Electric dirt bikes are typically prohibited on South Australian public roads, with only private e-scooters and similar devices permitted. The state government is currently reviewing regulations for e-bikes and e-scooters due to increasing concerns about unsafe riding, particularly among young people. The 16-year-old faces charges for speeding past an emergency vehicle, dangerous riding, operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, and driving without a license. His e-motorbike was impounded, and he will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court.

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People who choose to behave with such abandon on our roads are why crashes happen, including deaths. People riding these types of illegal e-bikes or e-motorbikes need to realise the risks involved and know that they are one of the most vulnerable road users who have little to no protection.