Former ABC broadcaster Margaret Throsby recovering in hospital after ebike collision
Former Australian broadcaster Margaret Throsby, 84, suffered serious injuries after being struck by an electric bike carrying two teenagers on a shared path in the Illawarra region. She underwent hip surgery and is recovering in hospital.
Former ABC broadcaster Margaret Throsby, 84, is recovering in hospital after being struck by an electric "fat bike" while walking on a shared path in the Illawarra region south of Sydney.
Her daughter, musician and author Holly Throsby, said her mother suffered a high-impact collision with two teenagers riding the bike, leaving her with an injured hip, thumb and head. She required surgery the following day.
According to Holly, the boys struck her mother on one side, causing her to fall on the other side and break her hip. The scene involved significant blood loss, and Margaret developed two large haematomas on her head.
Such high-speed electric bikes, featuring wide tyres and seats large enough for two riders, are commonly seen in coastal areas including the Illawarra.
Police attended the scene on Sandon Drive in Bulli and spoke with the rider, a 16-year-old boy, and his passenger, both of whom stayed to help the injured woman. Police said inquiries are ongoing. Holly said the teenagers appeared "mortified and scared" and that she would not want them charged.
The following day, police carried out a targeted operation against illegal use of e-bikes and trail bikes across the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra districts. The operation involved traffic, highway patrol, trail bike and bicycle police alongside aerial support, resulting in 37 e-bike stops, four infringement notices, two cautions and 15 youth warnings. Police confirmed the operation was unrelated to Throsby's accident.
Holly called for legislation governing children's use of e-bikes, suggesting education, training and a licensing system, saying it seems inevitable that incidents like this will occur given how large and heavy the bikes are.
Margaret Throsby joined the ABC in 1967 and became the first woman to read national radio news in 1975, and the first to present national television news in 1978. She later hosted a popular morning program as well as programs on classical and national radio stations. Holly said her mother is in excellent health and expects a good recovery, though hip rehabilitation may take time.
