A five-year-old boy was left with serious leg fractures after being accidentally struck by a teenage e-bike rider while playing at a park in Sydney’s south. 

The boy was playing with his sisters at Cooper Street Reserve in Engadine in October when the incident occurred.

The mother said in a post to a social media community noticeboard that her son was allegedly struck by a 13-year-old e-bike rider, resulting in fractures to his tibia and fibula. 

‘Six weeks later, he remains in a wheelchair unable to walk or stand. Sadly we don’t know when this will change or what his future looks like,’ she said on Wednesday.

‘Can you imagine what this is like for a five-year-old child? To wake up each morning and be unable to get out of bed, walk to the toilet, or run to get his favourite toy? 

‘He is currently home full-time, unable to attend his final term of preschool, his summer sports and so many of the ordinary childhood experiences he should be enjoying as a carefree five-year-old. 

‘We have had to cancel holidays, tickets to events and completely rearrange our family life around his care and recovery.’

The mother, who said she has been caring for her son full-time, added that his sisters and the family as a whole were ‘extremely traumatised’ by the incident.

A young boy remains in a wheelchair six weeks after he was struck by a teen e-bike rider 

The boy was playing at Engadine’s Cooper Street Reserve when he was struck

The mother used her post on the community Facebook page to address the parents of the e-bike rider.

‘I do not believe your son deliberately set out to hurt my child. He did, however, ride an e-bike in a place that he should not have been,’ she said.

‘He knew what he did as he stopped and turned to look at my son on the ground screaming before riding off.

‘I understand that he is 13 years old and may have panicked or been frightened by what happened. Perhaps that is why he rode away rather than stopping to help or making sure my son was okay.’

She claimed the teenager did not come forward but was allegedly spoken to by police and questioned why his parents allowed him to have access to an e-bike. The Daily Mail has been unable to confirm this due to limited details. The mother has been contacted for comment. 

‘You made the decision to allow your son access to an e-bike,’ she said.

‘You made the decision to put that responsibility into the hands of a child who, at 13, does not have the maturity, judgement or life experience to fully appreciate the consequences of operating such a vehicle around other people.’

The mother added that her family had not heard from the teenager’s family either regarding the crash.

The boy suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula

‘I am not writing this because I expect you to undo what has happened,’ she said.

‘You cannot give my son back these moments of his childhood he has lost, take away the trauma our children have experienced or guarantee that he will make a full recovery.

‘But I do believe you need to understand that your decisions have had a very real impact on another family. 

‘This is not just an unfortunate accident that can be brushed aside. An innocent five-year-old child was seriously injured, and his family has been left to pick up the pieces.’

Under current NSW Road Rules, a child of any age can ride an e-bike and bicycle riders of any age can carry passengers if the bike’s design allows. 

An expert review led by Transport for NSW has recommended a legal minimum age between 12 and 16 for riding an e-bike.

On Wednesday, NSW Transport Minister John Graham announced that any decision on an age limit will not be made until after the March 2027 elections. 

In Queensland and Western Australia, e-bike riders must be aged 16, while in Victoria, children under 13 are restricted to riding on footpaths. 

The social media post was inundated with advice and support for the mother on her ‘well-written’ letter. 

‘The parents chose to provide a 13-year-old with an e-bike. They must therefore accept full responsibility for any damage caused. Full stop,’ one user said.

But another commenter said the community should avoid pointing the finger at the rider’s family. 

‘This should not become a witch hunt against a 13-year-old boy and his parents,’ they said. 

‘I’m sure they are feeling an enormous amount of guilt, shame and heartbreak. My heart goes out to both families.’

Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com.au.