Reported crime on the Fernleigh Track has decreased since the installation of safety signs, despite community concern following an attack by a gang of youths at the weekend.
Lake Macquarie police are investigating a report that a 52-year-old male cyclist was knocked off his bike and robbed of his mobile phone by five teenagers with hoods and covered faces on Saturday morning.
The attackers were estimated to be aged between 13 and 17.
In March, Lake Macquarie City Council installed 14 signs that provided information on how to report antisocial behaviour and dangerous e-bike riders along the 15-kilometre shared community pathway.
The signage was a key recommendation from the Fernleigh Track Safety Subcommittee that was formed a year ago with representatives of the City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie City Council, NSW Police, Transport for NSW and the community group Taking Back Our Paths.
At the group's last meeting in July, police presented the subcommittee with data that showed reported crime had decreased from May to July along the Fernleigh Track.
Taking Back Our Paths founders Stacey Wilde and Tegan Broster have helped drive safety concerns on the Fernleigh Track and organised a community walk that was attended by 1000 people in May 2025.
Ms Wilde said there had been 60 reported incidents this year, and 32 of them were from proactive policing.
There were 31 intelligence reports about traffic concerns and rider behaviour, two e-bikes were destroyed, and 17 warnings were issued under the Young Offenders Act.
While NSW Police and Lake Macquarie City Council did not provide the statistics issued at the July subcommittee meeting, both confirmed that incidents had decreased from May to July.
However, Ms Wilde said the statistics were likely to be seasonally influenced.
"I do wonder, though, based on those numbers from May to July, as it's been winter," Ms Wilde said.
"Part of me thinks you're going to have a decrease in people using the track because, even though we didn't have a cold winter, it is winter and people are going to not use it as much, so you would actually see a bit of a downturn."
The assault and robbery on Saturday followed a series of frightening incidents on the popular Fernleigh Track, which had included an alleged sexual assault, reports of rocks being thrown, verbal abuse and other intimidatory behaviours.
Ms Wilde said her involvement on the subcommittee had helped her understand the complexity of improving safety on the Fernleigh Track.
"The general community wants to hear about the CCTV and the lighting and those bigger things," she said.
"Nothing has moved on that front.
"And to be honest with you, I'm not sure anything ever will."
Police said investigations were continuing into Saturday's alleged assault and robbery.
"As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward," a police spokesperson said.
"Criminal offences and antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated. Police encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious, antisocial or illegal behaviour to report it.
"Police taskings of the Fernleigh Track are ongoing, with officers conducting regular and high-visibility patrols along the track and surrounding road network to deter antisocial behaviour and enhance community safety."
In a statement, the Fernleigh Track Safety Subcommittee said it "was established to identify and assess opportunities to improve safety for all users of the Fernleigh Track.
"Over the past 12 months, the subcommittee has supported initiatives aimed at improving safety and emergency response, including signage to encourage appropriate reporting of incidents.
"The group are also progressing additional measures to help track users identify and communicate their nearest access or exit point in the event of an emergency."
