Back the Blue — Not the Bike

Stop Illegal Bikes. Support NSW Police. Protect Our Communities.

The Issue

This petition is not about stopping children from being children, nor is it about restricting responsible Australians who ride bicycles, e-bikes, mobility scooters or motorbikes for recreation, transport, work or independence.

Responsible riders are not the problem.

The problem is the growing use of stolen, illegal, unregistered and uninsured motorbikes, dirt bikes and e-scooters by offenders who deliberately endanger the community, evade police and commit crime.

These offenders are tearing through streets, footpaths, parks and playgrounds at dangerous speeds, placing families, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists at risk every day. They ignore police directions, engage in reckless and anti-social behaviour, and deliberately flee police knowing current laws severely restrict officers' ability to intervene.

This is not about "kids having fun". It is about offenders—both juveniles and adults—who use illegal vehicles to terrorise communities, commit crimes and escape accountability.

Police do not create pursuits—offenders do. Every pursuit begins with a deliberate decision by an offender to ignore lawful directions, flee police and place innocent lives at risk. Accountability for those choices should rest with the offender—not with the police officers trying to protect the public.

 
Why Change Is Needed

Communities across NSW are losing confidence that dangerous offenders will be stopped.

Residents are increasingly living with the fear of illegal bikes racing through neighbourhoods, parks and shopping areas, while police are often left with limited lawful options to intervene.

For many families, this isn't a hypothetical situation.

It's being woken in the middle of the night by intruders.

It's finding someone standing inside your home.

It's knowing criminals are using stolen motorbikes and vehicles to commit offences and escape police because they believe they won't be pursued.

Too often, offenders exploit the current system, knowing police officers face significant legal scrutiny and potential personal consequences when attempting to stop dangerous behaviour.

The prosecution of Sergeant Benedict Bryant has become a focal point for many in the community who believe current laws leave police exposed while offenders avoid accountability. Regardless of individual opinions about that case, it has raised broader concerns about whether frontline officers have the legal protection and authority needed to perform their duties safely and effectively.

 
Responsible Riders Are Also Paying the Price

Thousands of Australians responsibly use bicycles, e-bikes, mobility scooters and motorbikes every day for transport, work, recreation and independence.

If governments fail to stop the criminal misuse of these vehicles, it will be responsible riders who ultimately pay the price through higher insurance premiums, increased licensing or registration requirements, additional regulation and tighter restrictions because of the reckless actions of a small minority.

Law-abiding riders should not lose their freedoms because governments fail to deal with criminals.

 
The Current System Is Failing

The current system is failing our communities.

It is failing victims.

It is failing responsible riders.

Most importantly, it is failing the police officers sworn to protect us.

Communities are paying the price.

Police resources are stretched.

Confidence in the justice system is declining.

Criminals are becoming increasingly emboldened because they believe they can flee police with little consequence.

Without stronger laws, this behaviour will continue to escalate.

 
We Call for Urgent Legislative Reform

We call on the NSW Government to introduce legislation that strengthens community safety while supporting frontline police through the following reforms:

1. Offender Accountability

Where an offender deliberately flees police and causes injury or death to themselves during that unlawful conduct, responsibility should rest with the offender, subject to the law, rather than automatically exposing police officers acting lawfully to blame simply because they performed their duties.

2. Stronger Consequences for Juvenile Offenders

Where juveniles repeatedly ride unregistered motor vehicles unlawfully, appropriate consequences should apply, including delaying eligibility for a NSW driver's licence and considering measures that encourage parental or guardian responsibility where legally appropriate.

3. Immediate Vehicle Seizure

Any unregistered motor vehicle, dirt bike or e-bike used in the commission of offences should be liable to seizure. Where a vehicle is proven to be stolen, stronger criminal penalties should apply to those responsible.

4. Stronger Police Powers

Provide NSW Police with clear legislative authority and appropriate legal protections to safely intercept dangerous offenders acting within established operational policies and the law.

5. Protect Responsible Riders

Ensure any future reforms distinguish between responsible, law-abiding riders and those who deliberately misuse stolen or illegal vehicles to commit offences.

 
Enough Is Enough

Our communities deserve to feel safe.

Responsible riders deserve to enjoy their bikes without being unfairly punished for the actions of criminals.

NSW Police deserve the legal support needed to protect the public.

Criminals—not police and not law-abiding citizens—should be held accountable for the consequences of their unlawful actions.

The time for discussion has passed.

We call on the NSW Government to act now!!