Sydney Roosters officials have brought in new E-bike rules and sanctions after Billy Smith was ruled out of the side’s round two clash.
Smith was involved in an accident leading into last Friday’s game and has been sidelined with a concussion, which has also rubbed the star centre out of their blockbuster clash with Penrith.
The 26-year-old’s absence didn’t cost the Tricolours victory against arch rivals South Sydney, but it has caused a reaction inside the four walls.
News Corp reports the Roosters have brought in new rules, which consist of:
- Mandatory use of helmets
- Players are not allowed to “double” on E-bikes or E-scooters
- An undisclosed speed limit will be enforced
There will also be a bus provided by the club to transport players between the car park and Roosters HQ along Driver Ave.
Due to the parking situation surrounding their Moore Park base, players have utilised E-bikes and E-scooters for the past few years without issue.
But after the Smith incident, Trent Robinson admitted things were likely to change.
“He fell off a bike and he’s feeling embarrassed – he is feeling OK,” the coach said in his press conference after the victory against the Rabbitohs.
“There will be discussions around that. You don’t want to control all parts of life either, people can be individuals but a little bit better care might help get him on the field.”
Roosters supremo Nick Politis confirmed the news rules and sanctions would be in place moving forward.
“We have brought in new rules. Players must wear helmets, they get fined for going too fast and they can’t have two blokes on an e-bike,” the chairman told News Corp.
Earlier in the year, Daly Cherry-Evans was spotted riding an E-bike without a helmet.
Roosters captain James Tedesco said there was little way around using the vehicles, but safety measures would help their cause moving forward.
“Ever since we’ve been there [at the facility inside Allianz Stadium], we’ve been scootering and biking to and from training,” he said.
“It was just an accident, no one else really saw it or can speak on it.”
