About two dozen trail bike riders have been captured on video doing wheelies and tricks and weaving among traffic along Sydney Harbour Bridge in the third illegal ride-out along the iconic landmark in as many months.
The video, captured from inside a car about 3.15 pm on Sunday, showed at least 23 riders wearing varying levels of protective clothing, passing several cars at close range. The riders were travelling south on the Cahill Expressway along the Harbour Bridge.
Several riders sped past on their bikes, riding on the rear wheel, coming close to the backs of other cars. At least two riders were on their phones, using one hand to steer the bike while filming.
All drivers were wearing helmets and most were wearing black clothes. The motorcycles or trail bikes did not have number plates.
A spokesperson for NSW Police said police had received reports that a “large group” of motorcycles was being driven in a dangerous manner but the group had disappeared by the time officers from Central Metropolitan Traffic and Highway Patrol Command arrived.
Police are encouraging anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sunday’s incident is the third mass ride-out along the Harbour Bridge this year. On February 3 about 40 e-bike and motorcycle riders descended on the bridge during peak hour, then abruptly turned back and rode through the CBD.
The group were following 26-year-old American content creator Sur Ronster, who had hosted a meet-up earlier that afternoon. Ronster was later issued a traffic infringement notice for negligent driving, with police working to identify other riders.
On February 28 a second mass ride-out took place along the Harbour Bridge. One person, who allegedly filmed the rider, and a second man were issued infringement notices. In January dozens of e-bikers swarmed a golf course on Sydney’s northern beaches, riding across the green and leaving wheel marks.
Meanwhile, in an alleged road-rage incident between a car and a group of e-bikes on Sunday, a man has been charged with dangerous driving after allegedly crashing his car into an e-bike, after the rider of another e-bike allegedly smashed the back window of the car with a piece of wood. The incident occurred in Terrigal, in the state’s north.
The deaths of two teenagers last month have done nothing to stop the daredevil-like behaviour. On March 23, 15-year-old William Drake and his 14-year-old passenger, Adrian Lai, were killed when their petrol-powered trail bike collided with a commuter bus at an intersection on the Liverpool-Parramatta T-way in Bossley Park.
Last month police announced Strike Force Puma to target those responsible for the mass gatherings.
Strike Force Puma Commander, Superintendent Anthony Boyd said police and the community were “tired” of seeing the “stupid and irresponsible” behaviour.
“These incidents where riders do wheel stands, weave in between traffic and travel at high speeds are not only dangerous but illegal. These riders are risking being seriously injured or killed,” he said at the time.
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Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
