Nearly 300 fines have been issued to food delivery riders across Melbourne in recent weeks as Victoria Police ramp up their response to risky riding on busy city streets.
Operation Pathfinder, launched in June, has seen officers target e-bike, e-scooter, motor scooter and bicycle riders, especially those delivering food, after reports of unsafe behaviour during peak hours.
Since early June 2025 and now, 289 fines have been handed out for a mix of offences including riding on footpaths and pushing through red lights to using a mobile while riding. In just one evening of patrols this Tuesdsay, officers reported issuing 37 fines in only a few hours.
Police also described making an arrest on Swanston Street after a man allegedly tried to dodge police, “abandoned his bike and ran down the street” before being stopped and detained.
He is expected to be charged on summons for traffic matters and resisting police.
The operation kicked off after authorities noticed a spike in food delivery drivers taking risks around inner-city hotspots like Flinders Street, Little Bourke Street and Bourke Street, particularly when the dinner rush is on.
Fines for breaking the rules include $198 for riding on the footpath, up to $395 for ignoring traffic lights, and $593 for using a phone on the go.
Senior Sergeant Tania Connolly from Melbourne East Police Station told media, “Peak hour is often a busy time in the city, with lots of pedestrians and other road users around which presents a real risk to safety.”
She added, “It’s not only frustrating, but also incredibly dangerous to have e-bike riders zooming past pedestrians on the footpath, weaving in and out of traffic or disobeying traffic lights.”
Connolly went on to point out, “We know more people are choosing options such as electric bikes and scooters to get around the city, and we want to make sure not only their devices are up to standard, but they are fully aware of the rules. We encourage everyone accessing roads and footpaths to have patience and make sure you are looking out for others”.
The crackdown comes as police data reveals a “doubling” of collisions involving e-bikes and motor scooters compared to late last year.
Since the start of 2025, Melbourne has already counted 284 crashes involving bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters and motor scooters.
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