Northern Beaches woman is struck down at Curl Curl by a speeding e-bike rider who then flees

The dramatic moment a woman was struck down when an e-bike rider slammed into her before he fixed his bike and allegedly fled the scene was caught on video. 

Tash Dowling was walking on the road at night near her Northern Beaches home when the teenager crashed into her from behind and dragged her three metres along the gravel.

Footage of the brazen hit-and-run was caught on CCTV showing Ms Dowling propping herself up after the collision and finding herself facing the boy laying on the ground opposite her. 

The teen was then seen picking himself up and limping over to check his bike. 

‘I went to sort of engage with the person but they stood up, fixed their bike and drove off,’ she told A Current Affair. 

The hit-and-run left Ms Dowling battered, bruised and in shock after the teen abandoned her on the road. 

‘So I think my heart just sort of sank then for the state of a person, not caring about another person really,’ she said. 

‘To think they could have hit someone elderly and not known if they were OK or not, they didn’t care if I was OK or not.’ 

Ms Dowling said she tried to dash out of the rider’s way after she saw an approaching light behind her that wasn’t making any noise.

But she was blindsided by the teenager who left her to limp back home alone. 

Curl Curl councillor David Walton said the rising popularity of e-bikes in the area had increased the danger to pedestrians. 

He said there had been too many near-miss incidents where pedestrians were not given the right of way.

The ex-police officer urged e-bike riders to slow down and signal to those on foot while keeping a safe metre-long distance.

Meanwhile, Northern Beaches Council said it is working with local police and a traffic committee to address the issue. 

The hit-and-run left Ms Dowling (pictured) battered, bruised and in shock after the teen allegedly abandoned her on the road

Curl Curl councillor David Walton said the rising popularity of e-bikes in the area had increased the danger to pedestrians 

It will conduct a safety audit of electric bikes, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, and other bikes on local paths which is expected to take a few months.

Council will then discuss the results after they become available. 

The council said there have been 30 incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters since the beginning of the year. 

This is up from 18 recorded in 2022 for the same period.

Police said authorities were keen to talk to the rider who has been described as 15 to 16 years old, with a slim build and brown shoulder-length hair. 

Anyone with information that may be able to assist police is urged to contact Manly Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Vision of the ‘low act’ drew outrage on social media with some calling on the bikes to be banned. 

‘These bikes should not be on the road. If they were should have rego and insurance. This is a low act,’ one said. 

‘Learn how to ride, ebiker,’ said another.