An 18-year-old allegedly rammed a police officer before fleeing into bushland during a major crackdown on dangerous, illegal e-bikes across Southern Sydney and the Illawarra.
The senior constable suffered a serious leg injury after being struck while attempting to stop the rider on Aquatic Drive at Shell Cove about 5.40pm on Friday.
The teenager allegedly fled the scene on his e-bike before abandoning it, running into nearby scrub on Bass Point Rd.
Police and transport staff hunted through the area before allegedly finding the 18-year-old hiding in Bass reserve.
He was hit with a string of charges, including riding unlicensed, using an uninsured vehicle on the road, driving recklessly and furiously or speeding in a dangerous manner, failing to stop and assist after impact causing injury and failing to give particulars to an injured person.
The officer was taken to Shellharbour Hospital in a stable condition.
The arrest unfolded over a six hour joint operation targeting modified e-bikes capable of exceeding legal speed and power limits across Cronulla, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Transport for NSW seized 22 non-complaint e-bikes between 2pm and 8pm on Friday.
Several of the modified e-bikes were modified to travel at speeds over 40km/h, with one clocked reaching 50km/h.
Officers also issued nine penalty notices and four cautions.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver warned riders to check legal limits before buying an e-bike, stressing popularity was not an exemption from the law.
“There is no place on our roads and footpaths for illegal and modified e-bikes that put other people at risk,” he said.
“We know e-bikes are popular, particularly among young people; however, popularity does not give them exemption from the law.
“If you ride an illegal or modified e-bike, it may be seized, assessed and destroyed if it’s found to be non-compliant. Simple checks will save your time, money and consequences of getting it wrong.”
The 18-year-old-man was granted conditional bail and is set to appear before Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday October 28.