Motorbike-riding teens who died on busway are named

William Drake and Adrian Lai have been identified as in local media. Photo: Supplied

Two Sydney teenagers who died when their petrol-powered motorbike collided with a bus — pinning them underneath — have been identified.

Friends and family paid tribute online to Adrian Lai, 15, and William Drake, 16, who died on the T-way at Bossley Park on Monday night.

The young mates were known for the tricks they could perform on motorbikes.

They have been remembered as fun-loving, according to a local media report.

A memorial ride has been organised for April 3 at Bankstown Airport, with those attending asked to “ride safe and respect the day”.

Tributes were posted online as friends grappled with the losses at such young ages.

“William, never thought I’d lose you this early. Thank you for everything you taught me on the bike. I’d be nowhere near where I am without you,” wrote one mourner.

A memorial ride has been organised in Bankstown. Photo: Supplied

Police said the boys were riding a petrol bike that collided with the side of a commuter bus on Liverpool Parramatta T-way, near Restwell Road, about 7.30pm.

The bike got trapped under the bus, with the two teenagers pinned under the vehicle.

They died at the scene despite efforts to save them.

The bus driver – a 48-year-old man – was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Although the boys were not on an e-bike, the accident happened as states are slamming the brakes on illegal, high-powered mobility devices amid safety concerns.

Queensland became the latest government to rein in e‑scooters and e‑bikes, banning children aged under 16 from using the devices under what’s been called nation-leading laws.

In reforms to be introduced in parliament this week, riders over 16 must be medically fit to drive and hold at least a learner’s licence.

Queensland Police will be granted more powers to randomly breath test riders, and seize and destroy illegally used devices.

Parents will be held liable if they allow underage children to ride, while retailers and shared‑scheme operators face fines if they enable unlawful use.

A 10km/h speed limit will also apply on shared footpaths to better protect pedestrians.

A six‑month transition period will allow some devices to be made compliant, but most are already illegal.

“There will be penalties for riders of all ages that will be tough but fair,” Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said on Tuesday.

“This is about protecting community safety – we want to facilitate the legal and safe use of e‑mobility devices, while cracking down on unsafe and illegal use.”

In Queensland alone, more than 6000 hospitalisations were linked to e‑mobility devices between 2022 and 2025.

Queensland is the latest to crackdown on e-bikes after Western Australia and Tasmania placed restrictions on under 16s using the devices, with NSW weighing up an age limit.

Police and transport officers would be given new powers to seize illegal e-bikes to be crushed under legislation introduced to NSW Parliament on Tuesday.

If an e-bike was performing like a conventional motorbike in terms of power or speed, then it could be destroyed under the laws, which mirror those in WA, the government said.

“We don’t want to discourage safe and healthy e-bike use, but we do want to discourage dangerous and illegal e-motorbike use,” NSW Transport Minister John Graham said.

“This legislation gives police and transport officers the powers they need to efficiently and permanently remove these devices from our streets.”

E-bike crackdown in southern Sydney

Source: NSW Police

It comes after police issued 170 fines in a two-day crackdown across Sydney’s south last week. Operation E-Voltage, a high-visibility e-bike operation, was conducted on March 17-18 in the Sutherland Shire, South Sydney and Eastern Beaches police area commands.

More than 250 people were breath tested and 26 people were drug tested. Five e-bike riders tested positive to drugs.

Police laid five charges for criminal offences and 21 traffic charges.

NSW will also become the first state to roll out roadside “dyno units”, which measure whether an e-bike can go faster than the 25km/h speed limit.

The crushing powers would apply to all devices that breach the standards, even if bought in error, Graham said.

The legislative crackdown aligns with a heavier police response to dangerous e-bike use on the state’s roads.