A five-year-old boy suffered serious leg fractures after he was accidentally hit by a teenage e-bike rider while playing at a park in Sydney’s south.
The boy had been playing with his sisters at Cooper Street Reserve in Engadine in October when the incident happened.
In a post on a social media community noticeboard, his mother said her son was allegedly struck by a 13-year-old riding an e-bike. He sustained fractures to both his tibia and fibula.
“Six weeks later, he remains in a wheelchair, unable to walk or stand. Sadly, we don’t know when this will change or what his future looks like,” she wrote on Wednesday.
“Can you imagine what this is like for a five-year-old child? To wake up each morning and be unable to get out of bed, walk to the toilet or run to get his favourite toy?
“He is currently at home full-time and unable to attend his final term of preschool, take part in summer sports or enjoy so many of the ordinary childhood experiences he should be having as a carefree five-year-old.
“We have had to cancel holidays and event tickets, while completely rearranging our family life around his care and recovery.”
The mother, who said she had been caring for her son full-time, added that his sisters and the wider family had been “extremely traumatised” by the incident.
A young boy remains in a wheelchair six weeks after he was struck by a teen e-bike rider
The boy was playing at Engadine’s Cooper Street Reserve when he was struck
The mother used her post on a community Facebook page to address the e-bike rider’s parents.
“I do not believe your son deliberately set out to hurt my child. He did, however, ride an e-bike in a place where he should not have been,” she wrote.
“He knew what he had done, as he stopped and turned to look at my son on the ground screaming before riding away.
“I understand that he is 13 years old and may have panicked or been frightened by what happened. Perhaps that is why he rode away instead of stopping to help or checking that my son was okay.”
She claimed the teenager did not come forward but was allegedly spoken to by police. She also questioned why his parents had allowed him access to an e-bike. The Daily Mail has been unable to verify those claims because of the limited details available. The mother has been contacted for comment.
“You made the decision to allow your son access to an e-bike,” she wrote.
“You made the decision to place that responsibility in the hands of a child who, at 13, does not have the maturity, judgement or life experience to fully understand the consequences of operating such a vehicle around other people.”
The mother also said her family had not heard from the teenager’s family since the crash.
The boy suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula
“I am not writing this because I expect you to undo what has happened,” she said.
“You cannot give my son back the moments of childhood he has lost, erase the trauma our children have experienced or guarantee that he will make a full recovery.
“But I do believe you need to understand that your decisions have had a very real impact on another family.
“This is not simply an unfortunate accident that can be brushed aside. An innocent five-year-old child was seriously injured, and his family has been left to pick up the pieces.”
Under current NSW Road Rules, children of any age can ride an e-bike. Bicycle riders of any age may also carry passengers if the bicycle is designed to do so.
An expert review led by Transport for NSW has recommended introducing a legal minimum age of between 12 and 16 for e-bike riders.
NSW Transport Minister John Graham announced on Wednesday that no decision on an age limit would be made until after the March 2027 elections.
In Queensland and Western Australia, e-bike riders must be at least 16. In Victoria, children under 13 are restricted to riding on footpaths.
The social media post attracted an outpouring of advice and support for the mother, with users praising her “well-written” letter.
“The parents chose to provide a 13-year-old with an e-bike. They must therefore accept full responsibility for any damage caused. Full stop,” one user wrote.
However, another commenter urged the community not to blame the rider’s family.
“This should not become a witch hunt against a 13-year-old boy and his parents,” they wrote.
“I’m sure they are feeling an enormous amount of guilt, shame and heartbreak. My heart goes out to both families.”
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