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NSW authorities have issued a fine against an American social media personality and served two traffic infringement notices for reported negligent driving following a large group of electric bicycle users gathered on the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the busy commute on a weekday.

The Event: A Prohibited Ride

A gathering of approximately 40 individuals operating e-bikes and motorcycles travelled along the bridge’s main deck, where cycling is prohibited. The assembly then turned around and traveled through the downtown area and Haymarket.

"This had potential for people to be injured and killed," remarked a senior police official the officer on the following day.

Police said they did not chase right away the riders due to concerns for public safety but rather found the assembly at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair near the Botanic Gardens, at which point they broke up.

Penalties Issued for Influencer

Later in the week, police announced they had served the American online personality who goes by Sur Ronster, 26, with two traffic infringement notices for negligent driving (with no death or previous bodily harm), with a fine of $562 and penalty points per notice, in relation to the bridge ride-out. They added that the investigation is ongoing.

The personality reportedly has over 3.4 million followers on one platform and more than 1.2 million on Instagram.

Creator's Response

The online figure spoke with a local publication this week following the event spread rapidly on digital platforms, stating he was sorry for giving "the biking community" a negative image.

"I accept the blame. It was one of the safest ride-outs I have witnessed," he said. "I am a visitor here, and I intend to abide by the laws and norms of Sydney. So when I decided to do a meet and greet it did not involve a group ride, it was just to greet people near the bridge."

"I did not know the area well, it was my fault we found ourselves on the bridge and I had a decision to make: whether the group completes the entirety of the bridge and comes back, an illegal act. Or we turn around, basically, before entering the bridge. I chose at the time to go back."

National Debate on E-Bike Regulation

The spate of electric bicycles on roads nationwide has sparked growing calls for stricter rules. A senior government official, the minister, recently said that non-compliant electric bikes were a "total menace on the road."

"Kids have done stupid things on bikes since the invention of the early bicycle [but] the harm that are presenting at our hospital emergency departments are truly severe," he said. "We must make sure we prevent these things coming into the country [and] police are granted the authority to take strong action, to confiscate them, to destroy them, to dispose of them."

NSW recorded over two hundred injuries associated with ebikes in the previous year. But, in the first seven months of the following year, that number surged to 233 injuries plus four fatalities.