A girl believed to be in her teens has caused outrage after she was filmed riding a Lime e-bike through the aisles of a Coles supermarket in Sydney.
The incident happened at the Waterloo store in the city’s inner-east and was captured in footage that has since spread widely online. In the video, the girl, wearing a white headband, can be seen riding a bright green Lime e-bike down the health and beauty aisle, appearing excited as she passes shoppers pushing trolleys.
She was reportedly inside the store with a friend, and shoppers later described the disruption that followed as the pair moved through the busy supermarket. Audio in the clip also includes someone in the background shouting and asking why they were being filmed.
Coles has confirmed it is aware of what happened and has begun an internal investigation. A spokesperson said customer and staff safety remained the supermarket giant’s highest priority.
“We are aware of an incident at our Waterloo store yesterday afternoon involving individuals riding a bicycle inside the supermarket,” the spokesperson said.
“Bicycles are not permitted inside Coles stores, and we do not tolerate behaviour that compromises the safety of our customers or team members.”
Coles said team members intervened during the incident, and the individuals left the supermarket after staff asked them to go.
Riding a Lime bike inside a Sydney supermarket is against the law and can attract significant fines. In Sydney, riders must also be over 18 to use a Lime bike. It is not known whether the girl involved was under 18.
The footage has prompted a wave of reaction online, with many Sydneysiders expressing frustration over what they see as anti-social behaviour by teenagers in public places. Some called for tougher consequences.
“These teenagers must be disciplined,” said one commenter.
“I keep seeing such videos all over. This is very unacceptable. We all have a responsibility as parents to teach our kids to be kind at all times and everywhere. We weren’t angels in our teens, but we certainly never disturbed people!”
Another wrote: “This makes me angry”.
“There is no respect in society anymore,” another claimed.
Not everyone reacted with outrage. Some viewers took a more amused view, with one describing the footage as “Aussie culture”.
“They’re living the life we all wish we could,” another said.
