Boomers vs. Bikers: Teens and elderly residents face off over bike rules
A tense intergenerational argument has broken out in Sydney's Northern Beaches, as a group of seniors stopped two teenagers from riding their electric bikes on a footpath.
The incident was captured on camera by a bystander and uploaded to social media with the caption, "Battle of the beaches. E-bikes vs. elderly", before quickly going viral.
The video shows elderly man and woman standing outside a dental centre in the suburb of Mona Vale, stopping the youths from riding any further and are seen holding the bike as the teens appear to argue for their release.
After the video garnered much attention, hundreds of people shared their thoughts on who was in the right.
Many appear to have taken the side of the senior citizens, but in this case, with the teen’s ages not immediately clear, both parties could have a case.
According to the New South Wales Government, cyclists (on both pedal or electric bikes) are not allowed to ride on a footpath. However, children under 16 can ride on the footpath unless there is a “NO BICYCLES” sign.
In the comment section, plenty of arguments backed the case of the seniors.
“Elderly are right; it’s a footpath, it’s dangerous. Annoying they drive fast,” one wrote.
Another said: “Look I don’t know what happened, but yesterday (kids) similar to these guys were zooming on an E-bike at a dog park, almost hit us, no bells or anything and off the path. If you have these, just stay on the road.”
Others, however, were quick to side with the teens, as one person wrote, “Entitled old people thinking they are the police.”
Another added, “Boomers need to admit they are bored and have nothing to do.”
Image credits: TikTok