On 26 January 2026, a 34-week pregnant woman was struck by an e-bike while using a pedestrian crossing on Herbert Avenue in Poole, Dorset. The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 pm near the junction with Manor Avenue and has led to serious concerns about road safety in the area.
The victim, 30-year-old Siobhan Barling, required hospital treatment for injuries including a haematoma following the impact. Because of the collision, doctors had to perform an emergency C-section, and her baby, James, remained in a serious condition after the event.
The person riding the e-bike did not stop at the scene after hitting the woman. Dorset Police later arrested a 13-year-old boy in connection with the crash, which is being treated as a fail-to-stop collision.
Local residents are using the incident to raise awareness about the dangers of e-bikes being used in pedestrian spaces. Many in the community have expressed anxiety regarding the speed of these bikes and the frequency of riders using pavements instead of the road.
The popularity of e-bikes has grown significantly for personal use and delivery services across the country. This collision has reignited local discussions about whether more rules are needed to ensure that riders are held accountable when using public paths.
