The sun had just dipped low on Thursday afternoon when eight‑year‑old Zeke Hondow was riding his e‑bike home from school on the bike path near the interchange of Kawana Way and the Sunshine Motorway at Mountain Creek on the Sunshine Coast. At approximately 3:36 pm, Zeke collided head‑on with a 15‑year‑old also riding an e‑bike in the opposite direction.
Emergency services arrived swiftly and rushed Zeke to the nearby Sunshine Coast University Hospital, but despite their efforts he succumbed to his injuries. Both riders were reported to have been wearing protective headgear at the time of the crash. According to authorities, the older boy is voluntarily cooperating with the police investigation.
The grief that has swept through the Sunshine Coast community is profound. Zeke—affectionately known as “little Zeke”—was described by those who knew him as a bright‑spirited, adventurous boy whose laughter and curiosity warmed every room he entered. The news of his death sent shockwaves through local schools, neighbourhoods and families, all left struggling to come to terms with a life that held so much promise.
In the hours following the tragedy a fundraising campaign was launched to support Zeke’s grieving family. The goal is set at AU$10,000, with appeals online described in heart‑wrenching terms — one post said: “my cousin’s little 8‑yr‑old son has tragically grown his angel wings”. For many, contributing has become a tangible way to honour Zeke’s memory and help shoulder an unbearable burden.
Beyond the personal heartbreak, the crash has reignited serious questions about e‑bike use, regulation and safety on Queensland’s roads and bike paths. The state’s Forensic Crash Unit has confirmed it will investigate the two e‑bikes involved in the collision — including examining their power output, legality and whether they complied with the rules governing motor‑assisted bicycles.
Currently, Queensland’s laws allow e‑bikes up to 250 watts and assist up to 25 km/h without requiring a licence or registration. Bikes with motors exceeding those limits—or without pedals—fall into more regulated categories. Authorities say the availability of high‑powered machines often marketed to young people presents a growing risk. Officials including Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg and Attorney‑General Deb Frecklington have expressed their condolences and stressed that governments must do more to tighten regulation and improve public awareness.
Zeke may have had just eight short years on this earth, but he left an imprint that won’t fade. His energy, his love for adventure, his warmth—these qualities are now etched into the memories of everyone who knew him. The Sunshine Coast community is rallying around his family, holding space for grief, sharing stories, contributing where they can, hoping that something good might rise from such devastating loss. And amidst that collective sadness remains a quiet promise: that little Zeke will not be forgotten.