‘Electric Bikes Are Not Toys’: Parents Fined After Kids Caught Riding Electric Motorbikes

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An Australian parent has been fined for allowing his two teenage children to ride unregistered electric motorbikes in Noosa, Queensland.

In response to the incident, police have warned parents to be careful about buying electric bikes for underage children for Christmas.

Noosa Police fined a 58-year-old Sunshine Beach man for allegedly allowing his 15 and 17-year-old boys to ride unregistered bikes after previously being warned.

The fines were issued as part of Operation Zappo Stoppie, which targets the use of electric motorbikes and non-compliant electric bikes.

Noosa Heads senior constables Danny Baker and Tom Ayling raised alarm bells that children riding these types of electric bikes could lead to death.

“We frequently receive complaints from concerned community members about children riding electric motorcycles in ways that are not only dangerous to the rider, but also other road users and pedestrians and it seems unfortunately evident that it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed,” the constables said.

Baker and Ayling said some young people caught offending on e-bikes then move on to more powerful road registerable sports style motorcycles.

“These trends have confirmed our focus needs to remain on electric dirt bikes, modified electric bikes, and road registerable sports style motorcycles due to the significant risk of injury or death to these inexperienced riders and members of the public,” they said.

“It’s shocking to see children as young as 12 riding bikes powerful enough to be considered a motorbike.”

Further, the constables explained that the rules on motorbikes do not change, regardless of whether they are powered by petrol or electric batteries.

“Just as an electric battery doesn’t change a car from being a car, compared to a petrol car, neither does an electric battery change a motorbike from being a motorbike,” the constables said.

“We will continue with enforcement activities like Operation Zappo Stoppie and educational initiatives like presentations at local schools, but we also need parents to support us in keeping their children safe.”

Multiple Fines and Warnings

From July 1, over 5 months, police warned 31 children under 18, issued eight fines, and impounded three bikes, as part of Operation Zappo Stoppie.

“Police have also charged 24 people with 83 offences including 21 counts of unlicensed driving, 20 counts of using an unregistered vehicle, 20 counts of driving an uninsured vehicle, two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and one count of drink driving,” the police said.

Police noted that Operation Zappo Stoppie does not target electric scooters. However, police are still targeting “dangerous and illegal” use of e-scooters via other enforcement and education measures.

Police continue investigating 18 other incidents and 30 potential offences related to electric bikes and electric motorbikes in Noosa.

Parents Warned About E-Bikes Ahead of Christmas

The constables also asked parents to consider whether it was appropriate for their child to ride an electric motorcycle or bike.

“In the lead-up to Christmas, I ask that parents also think twice before buying an e-bike for a child that is not able or old enough to ride it legally. Electric motorcycles and electric bikes are not toys,” the constables said.

“Parents can be fined or charged for permitting their children to ride unregistered vehicles as well as ride vehicles when unlicensed.”

What Are the Rules?

In Queensland, an individual needs to be 16 years old to ride an e-bicycle on their own or 12 to 15 years with adult supervision.

An electric bike is non-compliant if it is petrol-powered or has an electric motor capable of generating more than 200 watts.

“For example, if your bike has a petrol-powered engine attached before or after purchase, it is non-compliant,” the Queensland government states.

“If your bike’s electric motor can help up to speeds in excess of 25km/h without cutting off, it is non-compliant.”

An electric bike with dysfunctional pedals that fail to propel it is also non-compliant. It is also a problem if the bike can be ridden using only its motor power without the pedals.

These non-compliant bikes can only be ridden on private property, where there is no public access.

Meanwhile, to ride an electric motorbike or electric dirt bike in Queensland, a rider must be over 18 and the bike must be registered.

The previous Labor government provided $2 million for rebates for Queensland residents to buy e-bikes and e-scooters.

More than 4,500 Queenslanders applied for rebates of up to $500 for e-bikes and $200 for e-scooters.