A former Hollywood stunt performer has taken action against a growing safety crisis, launching Queensland's inaugural dedicated e-bike safety academy. This initiative responds directly to a sharp increase in serious accidents, particularly involving young riders on high-powered electric bikes.
From Stunts to Safety: A New Mission
Colin Handley, the owner of the Gold Coast Stunt Academy, developed the comprehensive training program after witnessing a disturbing rise in e-bike accidents. He described the move into safety instruction as a "natural progression." Handley was motivated by the visible surge in riders on the roads and the corresponding accident reports.
"When I saw all of these accidents happening and the number of riders on the road, it felt like the right time to start a safety course for them," Handley explained during a recent television interview.
What the E-Bike Safety Course Covers
The academy's curriculum is designed to equip riders, especially children and teenagers, with essential skills for navigating real traffic. The program covers fundamental road rules, effective collision avoidance strategies, and heightened obstacle awareness. It also teaches balance techniques and clarifies registration requirements for more powerful models.
In advanced sessions, participants learn skills more commonly associated with motorcycle training. These include emergency braking procedures and techniques for how to safely dismount or "come off" a bike during a loss of control. The course strongly emphasises practical road behaviour, such as merging into traffic, executing turns safely, and using correct hand signals.
Handley consulted with police during the curriculum's development to ensure young riders fully understand how their responsibilities change when they transition from footpaths to live traffic lanes.
A National Problem Demanding Action
This training is a direct response to alarming reports from hospitals across Australia, which are noting a significant surge in e-bike-related injuries. Doctors are increasingly treating children for serious head trauma. The problem is often exacerbated by riders illegally modifying their bike's computer to exceed the legal assisted speed limit of 25 kilometres per hour.
"You've just got to talk to the hospitals, and they're loaded with injuries from e-bike accidents and e-scooters," Handley warned, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The tragic consequences were underscored on New Year's Eve, when 15-year-old Lucas Reid was killed in Devonport, Tasmania, after his e-bike collided with a pole. Police confirmed a helmet was found at the scene, but it was unclear if he was wearing it. Tasmania Police Inspector Nick Clark called the incident "tragic" and urged parents to take a more active role in supervising young riders.
In New South Wales, recent crashes involving teenagers on e-bikes colliding with cars in Sydney have sparked calls for tighter regulation, including potential number plates for some riders. The NSW government has already acted to reduce the maximum power output for e-bikes, with Premier Chris Minns warning that many models sold are "no longer a bike but a motorcycle" in terms of their speed and power.
Handley believes that education is the critical missing piece in the national debate around e-bike safety. With many children receiving e-bikes as Christmas gifts, his academy is offering free community sessions. The goal is to help young riders build core safety skills before they encounter the dangers of real-world traffic, hoping to prevent families from learning the risks the hardest way possible.
