E-Bike Rider Allegedly Caught with High Blood-Alcohol Reading
Newcastle police have charged a 35-year-old man with multiple offences following two separate incidents involving an electric motorbike on Sunday, November 9. Officers first intercepted the man around 3:30 pm on Wharf Road near the Newcastle foreshore, where they conducted an inspection of his electric motorbike.
Police issued the rider with a formal warning about the legal status of the vehicle and explicitly instructed him not to continue riding it. Despite this direct order, authorities claim the same man was stopped again later that afternoon in the suburb of Carrington while operating the same e-motorbike.
Roadside Test Reveals Extreme Intoxication
During the second interception, officers administered a roadside breath test which allegedly returned a staggering blood-alcohol reading of .178, more than three times the legal limit for licensed drivers in New South Wales. This reading classifies the offence as high-range drink-driving under Australian law.
Further investigation revealed the man did not hold any form of valid driver's licence. The electric motorbike he was operating was also found to be unregistered and uninsured, compounding the legal breaches.
Multiple Charges Laid Following Court Order
The 35-year-old now faces a series of serious charges including:
- High-range drink-driving
- Riding an unregistered vehicle
- Riding an uninsured vehicle
- Riding without a valid licence
- Carrying a passenger not wearing a helmet
Police have confirmed the man was issued a court attendance notice to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday, December 11 to answer all charges. The case highlights growing concerns about the regulation of electric personal transport devices and intoxication on Australian roads.
