RESIDENTS across the City of Whittlesea say dangerous riding on footpaths and local roads is making neighbourhoods feel unsafe, prompting calls for increased police resources and proactive enforcement.
Concerns about illegal e-bikes and dirt bikes being ridden at excessive speed on footpaths and public roads are growing across Whittlesea, with residents reporting increased intimidation and safety risks in residential areas.
Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called for increased police resources to enable proactive policing in areas including South Morang, Epping, Mernda and Mill Park.
She says her office has received a significant number of complaints from constituents in the Yan Yean electorate about unregistered dirt bikes and illegally modified e-bikes being ridden dangerously in local streets and shopping precincts.
Ms Lovell said many residents no longer feel safe walking in their neighbourhoods, with families increasingly reluctant to allow children to play or walk on footpaths due to the speed and unpredictability of the bikes.
She said the issue was brought into sharp focus when she was personally confronted by reckless dirt bike riders at a South Morang shopping centre.
Police resourcing in the Whittlesea Police Service Area has emerged as a key concern. Ms Lovell says local officers have advised that Epping and Mernda police stations are operating at around 50 per cent of their designated staffing levels, while Mill Park is estimated to be operating at just 30 to 40 per cent.
With limited vehicles available across the area, Ms Lovell said police are largely restricted to responding to incidents rather than conducting proactive patrols to deter illegal riding.
Under Victorian law, e-bikes can only be legally ridden on public roads if they have functioning pedals, a maximum power output of 250 watts and motor assistance that cuts out at 25km/h. However, police have identified widespread modification of e-bikes after purchase to increase power and speed.
Riding unregistered dirt bikes or high-powered e-bikes on public roads is illegal and is often associated with dangerous behaviour such as burnouts, wheelies and racing.
State figures show e-bike-related collisions have increased sharply in recent years, reinforcing community concerns about pedestrian and road safety.
Ms Lovell has criticised the Victorian Government for what she describes as a lack of action in Whittlesea, saying reduced police station hours and staffing shortages have limited the ability of police to address the issue effectively. She is calling for increased staffing and resources to ensure Victoria Police can intervene before serious incidents occur.
In response, the government says it is addressing e-bike safety through targeted enforcement and education rather than a registration scheme.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne has said road safety is a shared responsibility and that education campaigns are aimed at improving safety for all road users.
As Whittlesea continues to grow, residents say restoring a sense of safety on local streets remains a pressing priority.
