Former ABC broadcaster Margaret Throsby is recovering in hospital after a high-impact collision with an electric “fat bike” while walking on a shared path in the Illawarra region, south of Sydney.
The 84-year-old media pioneer, who made history as the first woman to read national radio and television news in Australia, suffered a broken hip, a thumb injury, and significant head trauma during the incident at Sandon Drive in Bulli last week.
Her daughter, the noted musician and author Holly Throsby, described the scene as “sickening,” noting that her mother’s face was covered in blood due to two large haematomas. “When the paramedics arrived and tried to move her, she was in so much pain from the broken hip,” Holly told Guardian Australia. Throsby underwent surgery the following day to repair the fracture.
The collision involved two teenagers riding a “fat bike”—a powerful, heavy-duty e-bike characterized by wide tires and a frame large enough to carry two people. These vehicles have become an increasingly common, yet controversial, sight on coastal pathways across Australia.
Holly Throsby expressed empathy for the young riders, who she said appeared “completely mortified and scared” following the crash. She indicated that she does not wish to see the teenagers charged, but she is calling for urgent regulatory reform.
“I think the more appropriate measure would be to look at ebike legislation, education and training and some kind of licensing system,” Holly said. “For kids to be riding those bikes—which are massive and heavy—it does seem inevitable that this kind of thing will happen.”
NSW Police confirmed that the 16-year-old rider and his passenger remained at the scene to assist the injured broadcaster. “Inquiries are ongoing into the incident,” a spokesperson said.
In a move highlighting the growing concerns regarding e-bike safety, police conducted “Operation Spoiler” the day after the accident. The high-visibility campaign targeted illegal e-bikes and trail bikes across the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra districts. Over the course of the day, officers conducted 37 stops, issuing four infringement notices, two cautions, and 15 youth warnings. While police noted the operation was not directly related to the Throsby incident, it underscored a broader crackdown on the unregulated use of the vehicles.
Margaret Throsby, who joined the ABC in 1967, remains a revered figure in Australian broadcasting. After a celebrated career spanning decades—including hosting the highly successful The Margaret Throsby Show and various programs on ABC Classic FM—she remains in good spirits. Holly confirmed her mother is in excellent overall health and is expected to recover, though she faces a period of rehabilitation for her hip.
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