An electric bicycle involved in a collision that left a 10-year-old child hospitalised has been seized by police and will be the pivotal part of their investigation into the incident.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The child was seriously injured in the crash, involving an adult on an electric bicycle in Canberra's south on Thursday morning.
The child was transferred to a Sydney hospital, however their condition is unknown and the family has requested privacy at this time.
A spokesman for the minister for police and emergency services, Mick Gentlemen, said electric or motorised bicycles under 200 watts were allowed on footpaths in Canberra.
"However, if they are in excess of 200 watts, they are not allowed on the footpath," the spokesman said.
"The legislation around this is strong in the ACT," he said.
An ACT Policing spokesman said inquiries were ongoing into the power output of the bicycle involved.
"People that choose to buy these electric bicycles need to be aware of the legalities of them in the ACT," he said.
Police were yet to determine if the man would be charged. The collision investigation and reconstruction team are investigating.
Laws were put in place in response to the man's death and other incidents in NSW. These included the prohibition of the use of bicycles powered by an internal combustion engine being used on roads or road-related areas.
In the ACT, all devices with a motor must be registered to use on the road. Electric bicycles under 200 watts are exempt.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or had information which could assist police are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via act.crimestoppers.com.au.
