It comes as state governments across Australia crack down on the vehicles.

E-bike rider flees after crash

An e-bike rider is being sought by police after smashing into a ute and riding away.

The man rode in front of a ute travelling on Raglan Pde in Warrnambool, southwest Victoria, and was hit about 5.45pm on March 23.

Dashcam footage from the ute shows the rider coming from Parker St and ignoring a give way sign just moments before being hit.

He then skidded across the road and wasted no time dusting himself off before riding away from the crash.

Victoria Police released the footage in an attempt to identify the rider.

He is described as Caucasian, about 160cm tall, with black hair and of medium build.

At the time of the crash, he was wearing a dark-coloured hooded top bearing the words “play for keeps” and a black and white helmet.

Anyone with information, including witnesses or anyone with footage, has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

The crash occurred just a day before the deaths of two teenage boys riding a petrol-powered trail bike which crashed into the side of a bus in Sydney.

Both boys’ social media accounts featured videos of them performing wheelies and tricks on e-bikes in the months before the crash.

Just hours after the crash, the NSW Government announced a pre-planned crackdown with a bill introduced to parliament which would grant officers the power to seize and crush illegal e-bikes.

The Queensland Government soon after announced it would be introducing some of the toughest laws in the country amid a spate of injuries and deaths on the vehicles.

From July 1, riders will need to hold a valid learner’s permit or licence to use the devices, while parents who supply them to underage children could also face fines.

Premier David Crisafulli told Sunrise the laws would encourage greater accountability on the issue, particularly for parents.

“It’s about making sure we accept personal responsibility,” he said.

“It’s no different if a parent supplies alcohol or drugs to a kid or a knife. They can be held accountable.

“These are a weapon, and they’re a dangerous weapon.

“In the past three years, there’s been over a dozen people killed in Queensland, and there’s been 6000 injuries, and many of them are life-changing and serious.”