Teens risk fines riding e-bikes in Sydney tunnel

A group of teenagers has alarmed drivers in Sydney by riding e-bikes and scooters on a busy motorway. They were spotted in a tunnel next to cars traveling at 70 km/h. Some of the teens were riding one-handed while filming themselves with their phones. A woman who witnessed the scene claimed there were about 30 teens involved. She described it as "gobsmacking" and noted that cars were honking and some teenagers were making disrespectful gestures. Experts have raised concerns about modified e-bikes, which can reach extremely high speeds. Peter McLean, the CEO of Bicycle NSW, highlighted that these bikes can sometimes exceed 100 km/h. He emphasized that poorly constructed e-bikes are dangerous and can create serious hazards on the roads. In New South Wales, riding bicycles or e-bikes in motorway tunnels is illegal. The fine for violating this rule is $320, with a maximum court penalty of $2,200. McLean pointed out that tunnels are unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians because they are designed solely for motor vehicles. He called for better infrastructure to ensure safe options for bike users. While he acknowledged responsible e-bike riders, he criticized some cyclists for lacking respect for other road users. This irresponsible behavior complicates efforts to promote safe cycling practices, he said.