A 17-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter following a tragic incident in which he allegedly struck a 59-year-old woman while riding a high-powered electric off-road motorbike in a park in Perth’s northern suburbs. The woman sustained critical injuries and later died in Joondalup Hospital.
The teenager is also facing charges for having no authority to drive and for operating an unlicensed vehicle on a road. The electric bike, which police say was unregistered and being ridden erratically, is now under forensic analysis to determine whether it complied with safety standards and whether it had been modified in any way.
Police reported observing the motorbike traveling dangerously in the Woodvale area around 2:30pm on Saturday. Not long after, it collided with the woman in the neighboring suburb of Edgewater. Officers had initially attempted to intercept the vehicle but chose instead to monitor it from a distance, according to Detective Sergeant Ollie Edwards.
Emergency services responded to the scene quickly, but despite efforts to save her, the victim passed away overnight. The accused teen appeared in Perth Children’s Court on Sunday.
Authorities are now appealing to the public for any dash-cam or mobile phone footage showing the electric bike in the Woodvale and Edgewater areas, especially along pathways near Lake Joondalup. Police say several witnesses who were at the park at the time of the crash are being interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Detective Sergeant Edwards emphasized that the police were not pursuing the rider when the incident occurred and reiterated the importance of riding electric rideables responsibly. He urged all users of electric scooters and bikes to adhere to the law, citing the growing risk posed by high-powered devices on public footpaths and in shared spaces.
This case comes at a time of rising public concern over the safety of electric rideables in Western Australia. A recent surge in related accidents, including multiple fatalities this year, has prompted the state government to launch a formal parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry is exploring stricter regulations, potential bans on footpath use, night-time curfews, and improvements to enforcement.
The use of unregistered or modified electric bikes and scooters has been widely criticized, particularly when operated by unlicensed riders. Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby and Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti have both called for urgent changes to legislation to address gaps in enforcement and improve public safety.
The incident has reignited debate around whether current laws go far enough to protect pedestrians and hold riders accountable. As the inquiry continues and the legal case against the teen progresses, calls for stricter licensing, better infrastructure, and greater public awareness around the risks of electric rideables are likely to intensify.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant footage or information to contact CrimeStoppers as the investigation remains active.
