Key Takeaways
- A 50‑year‑old e‑bike rider died after colliding with a Transperth bus at the Marlboro Road–Morrison Road intersection in Swan View on Monday evening.
- The crash is being investigated by the Major Crash Investigation Section; police are seeking witnesses and any dash‑cam or mobile‑phone footage.
- This incident follows another fatal Transperth bus collision involving a 65‑year‑old runner in Thornlie on March 31, highlighting a pattern of serious bus‑related accidents.
- Prior to these deaths, at least 12 people have lost their lives on Western Australian roads and footpaths in e‑rideable accidents since 2022, prompting a review of e‑scooter and e‑bike regulations.
- The review, triggered by the death of Thanh Phan in May 2023, produced 33 recommendations, most of which the state government has indicated it would support, but implementation is stalled pending federal action.
- Families of victims killed in e‑scooter crashes are urging the WA government to act more urgently, arguing that waiting for Commonwealth measures leaves road users exposed to illegal, over‑powered devices.
- The state has asked the federal Transport Minister for stronger border controls to prevent the importation of non‑compliant e‑rideables while awaiting national reform.
Details of the Swan View Collision
On Monday at approximately 6:40 p.m., a 50‑year‑old man was riding an e‑bike through the intersection of Marlboro Road and Morrison Road in Swan View, a suburb in Perth’s north‑east. According to Western Australia Police, the rider collided with a Transperth bus that was traveling through the same junction. The impact caused critical injuries, and despite emergency responders’ efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have classified the incident as a fatal crash and have launched a full investigation to determine the exact circumstances, including the speeds of both parties and any possible traffic‑signal violations.
Police Appeal for Witnesses and Evidence
Following the collision, officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section issued an urgent appeal for anyone who witnessed the event to come forward. They specifically requested individuals who may have captured dash‑cam footage, mobile‑phone video, or still images of the crash to contact Crime Stoppers. Authorities believe that visual evidence could be crucial in reconstructing the sequence of events, clarifying whether the e‑bike rider had the right of way, and identifying any contributory factors such as obscured signage or unexpected vehicle movements.
Context of a Similar Fatality in Thornlie
The Swan View tragedy comes less than two weeks after another fatal incident involving a Transperth bus. On March 31 at roughly 7:40 a.m., a 65‑year‑old male runner was struck by a bus near the intersection of Forest Lakes Drive and Garden Street in Thornlie, located in Perth’s south‑east. The runner was on his regular morning jog when the bus struck him, resulting in fatal injuries. Both incidents have raised community concerns about the safety of vulnerable road users—cyclists, runners, and pedestrians—when sharing space with large public‑transport vehicles at busy intersections.
Trend in E‑Rideable Fatalities Across Western Australia
Prior to these two bus‑related deaths, authorities reported that at least 12 people had died on WA roads and footpaths in accidents involving e‑rideables since 2022. The term “e‑rideable” encompasses electric bicycles, electric scooters, and similar powered personal transport devices. The data indicate a troubling upward trend as the popularity of e‑bikes and e‑scooters has surged, driven by factors such as rising fuel costs, environmental awareness, and urban congestion relief. However, the increase in usage has not been matched by a proportional rise in safety infrastructure or regulatory oversight.
Case Study: The Death of Thanh Phan
One of the most high‑profile e‑rideable fatalities that spurred regulatory scrutiny was the death of Thanh Phan, a Perth father who was run down by a drunk e‑scooter rider in May 2023. Phan’s death attracted widespread media coverage and public outcry, prompting the Western Australian government to launch a comprehensive review of laws governing e‑rideables. The review examined issues such as device power limits, rider age restrictions, helmet requirements, and the responsibilities of retailers who sell or modify e‑rideable equipment.
Outcome of the E‑Rideable Law Review
The review produced 33 recommendations aimed at improving safety and accountability. Key proposals included stricter penalties for retailers who knowingly sell or facilitate illegal modifications that boost an e‑rideable’s speed beyond legal limits, mandatory safety‑training programs for new riders, and enhanced enforcement of existing speed‑and‑power caps. The state government indicated that it would fully support, or support in principle, all but one of these recommendations, signaling a readiness to adopt stronger measures at the state level.
Federal‑Level Stalemate and the Call for National Action
Despite the state’s willingness to move forward, any legislative changes have been placed on hold. The WA government wrote to federal Transport Minister Catherine King, requesting “immediate and tangible action” from the Commonwealth to address the proliferation of illegal, over‑powered e‑rideables entering the country. The correspondence urged the federal government to implement stronger border controls to intercept non‑compliant devices before they reach Australian markets, arguing that a national crackdown is necessary to prevent a patchwork of state‑by‑state regulations that could be undermined by interstate trade.
Families’ Disappointment and Urgency Plea
Relatives of victims killed in e‑scooter crashes, including the families of Thanh Phan and the recent bus‑collision victims, have expressed disappointment with the perceived delay in regulatory reform. They argue that waiting for federal intervention leaves local riders and pedestrians exposed to dangerous, illegally modified devices that can exceed safe speed limits and maneuver unpredictably. Advocacy groups have called on the WA government to exercise its authority to enact interim measures—such as increased police checks on e‑rideable retailers and public awareness campaigns—while awaiting broader national reforms.
Current Safety Recommendations for Riders and Authorities
In the interim, safety experts recommend several practical steps to reduce risk. Riders should ensure their e‑bikes comply with WA’s legal power output (generally limited to 250 W) and speed limits (25 km/h on shared paths, 50 km/h on roads). Wearing approved helmets, using lights and reflective gear at night, and obeying traffic signals are essential. Authorities, meanwhile, are urged to increase visible enforcement at known hotspot intersections, conduct regular safety audits of e‑rideable sales outlets, and improve infrastructure—such as dedicated bike lanes and clearer signage—to better separate vulnerable riders from heavy vehicles like buses.
By combining immediate local actions with coordinated federal border controls, Western Australia aims to curb the rising tide of e‑rideable fatalities and protect all road users.