Question details
Bike Life
(2187) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police. I recently spoke to a man called Jordan Forte. He is a young man who is a leader of the Bike Life movement in Australia. You might have seen these boys enjoying a group bike ride in the city on the weekend. A lot of them are from the outer suburbs, in electorates like mine in south- east Melbourne. Bike Life is a worldwide movement that is about young people getting outside and having fun with their mates. It is not political and it is not a protest, it is just young people getting away from their screens. One of the slogans of the movement is ‘knives down, bikes up’, but for some reason this seems to cause a moral panic. The boys are always encouraged to follow the road rules, but Jordan has shown me footage of them being harassed by police. What is worse, some boys have received fines for minor infractions. This might be the first interaction they will ever have with police, and it creates a lifetime of ill will. Kids riding their bikes with their mates is not anyone’s problem to be solved. My request to the minister is to discuss the Bike Life movement with police with a view to assisting them or at least leaving them alone to enjoy the rides.
Community safety is the Allan Labor Government’s highest priority. Our plan to reduce violent youth crime delivers both serious consequences and early interventions, including backing initiatives that create connections for young people to their community through sport.
However, Victoria Police has advised that these Bike Life events involve participants frequently engaging in anti-social and illegal behaviour that puts participants and the Victorian community at risk. Reported and observed incidents include attendees running red lights, failing to wear helmets, playing ‘chicken’ with vehicles and pedestrians, conducting burnouts, and engaging in confrontations with other motorists, security, and police.
Victoria Police have implemented a standing operation – Operation Otto – to guide the response to these types of events due to the risks involved to event participants and the community.
Enforcement will continue to help ensure the safety of people walking the footpaths, innocent road users, or those engaging in risk-taking behaviour themselves.
The Hon. Anthony Carbines MP
Minister for Police
Minister for Community Safety
Minister for Victims
Minister for Racing