Pedestrian Killed by Illegally Modified E-Bike Capable of 90km/h on Mornington Peninsula – May 12, 2025

Incident Overview
A 69-year-old man has died after being struck by an illegally modified electric bike on the Mornington Peninsula , Victoria. The incident occurred at approximately 6:40 pm on Monday, May 12, 2025 , on Frankston–Flinders Road in Hastings , while the victim was out on a shopping trip .

The pedestrian suffered life-threatening upper and lower body injuries and was airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital in critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday afternoon, May 13, 2025 .

The e-bike rider , a 24-year-old local man , was also seriously injured and taken to Alfred Hospital for treatment. Police confirmed that the e-bike had been illegally modified to reach speeds of up to 90 km/h , with its battery improvised using duct tape and cable ties .

Authorities are investigating whether the modifications played a role in the crash and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Location and Time

• Crash Date: Monday, May 12, 2025 (approximately 6:40 pm).
• Location: Frankston–Flinders Road, Hastings, on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

Vehicles Involved

• An **illegally modified electric bike**, ridden by a 24-year-old man from Hastings.

Injuries/Fatalities

• Fatality:
  • The 69-year-old pedestrian died on Tuesday afternoon after sustaining life-threatening injuries in the collision.
• Serious Injuries:
  • The 24-year-old e-bike rider was taken to hospital with serious injuries and is expected to be interviewed by police as part of the investigation.

Emergency Response

• Paramedics responded immediately to the scene and treated the pedestrian before he was flown to Royal Melbourne Hospital.
• Ambulance and police teams worked to stabilize both the pedestrian and the rider before transporting them to hospital.

“I heard screams, somebody going, ‘Ahh, ahh, ahh’… It went on for a minute or so.”
— Witness Leanne Davies

Modified E-Bike Details

• The e-bike had been altered to allow it to reach speeds of up to **90 km/h**, well beyond legal limits for standard e-bikes.
• Police confirmed the battery had been **illegally enlarged and held together with duct tape and cable ties**, increasing power output and speed capacity.

“The battery has [been] increased in size… held together with duct tape and cable ties to increase the speed and power.”
— Inspector Craig McEvoy, Victoria Police

Police Investigation
Victoria Police are treating this as a serious road safety incident , with the Major Collision Investigation Unit now leading the inquiry. Key areas under review include:

• Whether the e-bike’s illegal modifications contributed to the crash.
• Road conditions, visibility, and right-of-way at the time of impact.
• Witness accounts and dashcam footage to determine the sequence of events.

The 24-year-old rider is expected to be questioned once medically cleared.

Community Impact
This tragic incident has sparked concern about the safety risks posed by high-speed e-bikes , particularly in urban and semi-rural areas where pedestrians share pathways or roadside space with cyclists.

The death of a senior citizen during a routine shopping trip highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians and the potential dangers of non-compliant vehicle modifications . Local residents are calling for tighter regulations and enforcement around e-bike use and performance limits.

Appeal for Information
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to assist authorities:

• Crime Stoppers Victoria: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
• Witness Reporting: Contact Victoria Police through your local station or via the TAC witness portal.