Margaret Throsby, 84, Recovering After E-Bike Collision on Shared Path

Former ABC broadcaster Margaret Throsby is recovering in hospital after being struck by an electric fat bike on a shared pathway in Bulli, Illawarra, on September 25. The 84-year-old, who spent 55 years as a presenter on ABC Classic, suffered a fractured hip, broken thumb, and significant head injuries. She underwent surgery the day after the collision. Her family is now pushing for stricter rules on heavy e-bikes ridden by teenagers on shared paths.

How the collision happened

Throsby was walking on a shared pedestrian and cycling path at Sandon Drive, Bulli, when two teenage boys on a large electric fat bike struck her. Her daughter Holly Throsby described the impact as severe. The fat bike, with wide thick tyres and a seat for two riders, knocked Throsby down hard. She fell on her other side after the initial impact, fracturing her hip. Holly said the scene was alarming, with blood covering her mother’s face and two large haematomas on her head.

Injuries and hospital treatment

Medical examinations revealed a fractured hip, broken thumb, and substantial head injuries. Throsby underwent surgery the day after the collision to repair her hip. She remains in hospital recovering. According to NSW police, the 16-year-old rider and his passenger remained at the scene and assisted the injured woman. Police said inquiries are ongoing into the incident.

Family calls for e-bike restrictions

Holly Throsby is urging the NSW government to tighten rules on heavy e-bikes ridden by children. She said the riders looked “completely mortified and scared” and she would not want them charged. However, she warned that allowing unlicensed teenagers to ride such heavy, fast machines on shared paths is “civically irresponsible.” She said fat-tyred e-bikes resemble motorbikes yet are commonly ridden by teenagers, often two per bike and without helmets, on the same paths as walkers.

Current NSW e-bike rules and police response

NSW announced reforms earlier this year enforcing a 250-watt power limit for e-bikes with motorised assistance. The day after Throsby’s collision, NSW police conducted Operation Spoiler, a high-visibility crackdown on illegal e-bikes and trail bikes in the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra districts. Officers conducted 37 e-bike stops during the operation, which ran from 8.30am to 6pm. The incident has sparked broader debate about whether current regulations adequately protect pedestrians on shared pathways.

Final Thoughts

Throsby’s collision highlights a gap between e-bike regulations and their enforcement on shared paths. Her family’s push for stricter rules on heavy e-bikes used by teenagers may prompt NSW to review current laws and enforcement practices.

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