Is your grandchild riding an e-bike? You might want to hear this $700 fine story
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A recent incident in Queensland has put a spotlight on a growing issue on Aussie roads—and it’s raising serious questions for parents.
What started as a routine check turned into a stark warning for families across the country, highlighting the potential risks and legal consequences of letting kids ride modified electric bikes.
Here’s what you need to know about this alarming trend and what authorities are saying.
Parents across Australia are being put on notice after a Queensland dad was slapped with over $700 in fines for allegedly letting his 15-year-old son ride a modified e-bike.
The 50-year-old Mackay man was hit with several offences, including permitting the operation of an uninsured bike, permitting the use of a defective vehicle, and permitting the ride of an unregistered motorbike.
The crackdown comes as authorities ramped up enforcement on e-bike safety, with officers recently spotted in Sydney’s CBD targeting non-compliant e-bike riders.
‘We are seeing frequent instances of children sometimes as young as 12 riding high-powered non-compliant electric motorcycles, sometimes on busy streets around towns,’ said Mackay Whitsunday District Highway Patrol Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Shane Edwards.
He added: ‘These e-bikes are often dangerous to the rider and other motorists, and to pedestrians on our roads and pathways.’
Earlier this year, NSW Police also targeted several e-bike riders in Sydney, as seen in social media posts.
Since January, Mackay police conducted 18 street checks, issuing infringement notices for offences like riding unregistered, unlicensed, and uninsured e-bikes, as well as failing to wear an approved helmet.
Offenders ranged in age from 13 to 16 years old, highlighting the increasing popularity of e-bikes among younger Australians, despite the hefty price tag—an average e-bike costs $2,000, with some high-end models reaching up to $6,000.
While each state and territory has different e-bike regulations, all require the rider to provide some level of propulsion, and the top speed of these bikes must be capped at 25 km/h.
Ed Hore, President of the Australian Cycling Alliance, previously discussed the issue, stating that e-bikes with throttles capable of exceeding the legal speed limits must be removed from our roads.
Hore also suggested introducing a licensing and insurance requirement for e-bike riders, with food delivery riders currently being the most frequent users of these high-powered bikes.
However, authorities have raised concerns over an emerging trend—children using these potentially dangerous vehicles.
Senior Sergeant Edwards reminded the public that road safety is ‘everyone’s responsibility,’ including parents.
He said: ‘We will be addressing the dangerous and illegal use of e-bikes in our communities to ensure no one is seriously injured or killed.’
He also warned, ‘Parents can be fined or even charged for allowing their children to ride these vehicles if unlicensed, unregistered, or modified.’
According to Edwards: ‘Electric bikes are not toys, and the rules around the use of an electric bike are the same as a motorbike, regardless of being powered by an electric battery instead of petrol.’
Mackay residents were advised to expect an increased police presence over the Easter school holidays, with more e-bike users likely to take to the streets.
In a previous story, we explored how the rise of e-bikes is causing concern for road safety
With more people turning to these fast-growing vehicles, it’s crucial to understand the potential dangers involved.
To dive deeper into why e-bikes could become deadly without proper regulation, check out our full story here.
With e-bikes becoming more popular among kids, do you think the current rules are enough to keep our roads safe? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
What started as a routine check turned into a stark warning for families across the country, highlighting the potential risks and legal consequences of letting kids ride modified electric bikes.
Here’s what you need to know about this alarming trend and what authorities are saying.
Parents across Australia are being put on notice after a Queensland dad was slapped with over $700 in fines for allegedly letting his 15-year-old son ride a modified e-bike.
The 50-year-old Mackay man was hit with several offences, including permitting the operation of an uninsured bike, permitting the use of a defective vehicle, and permitting the ride of an unregistered motorbike.
The crackdown comes as authorities ramped up enforcement on e-bike safety, with officers recently spotted in Sydney’s CBD targeting non-compliant e-bike riders.
Queensland dad fined over son's modified e-bike use. Image source: Qld Police
‘We are seeing frequent instances of children sometimes as young as 12 riding high-powered non-compliant electric motorcycles, sometimes on busy streets around towns,’ said Mackay Whitsunday District Highway Patrol Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Shane Edwards.
He added: ‘These e-bikes are often dangerous to the rider and other motorists, and to pedestrians on our roads and pathways.’
Earlier this year, NSW Police also targeted several e-bike riders in Sydney, as seen in social media posts.
Since January, Mackay police conducted 18 street checks, issuing infringement notices for offences like riding unregistered, unlicensed, and uninsured e-bikes, as well as failing to wear an approved helmet.
Offenders ranged in age from 13 to 16 years old, highlighting the increasing popularity of e-bikes among younger Australians, despite the hefty price tag—an average e-bike costs $2,000, with some high-end models reaching up to $6,000.
While each state and territory has different e-bike regulations, all require the rider to provide some level of propulsion, and the top speed of these bikes must be capped at 25 km/h.
Ed Hore, President of the Australian Cycling Alliance, previously discussed the issue, stating that e-bikes with throttles capable of exceeding the legal speed limits must be removed from our roads.
Hore also suggested introducing a licensing and insurance requirement for e-bike riders, with food delivery riders currently being the most frequent users of these high-powered bikes.
However, authorities have raised concerns over an emerging trend—children using these potentially dangerous vehicles.
Senior Sergeant Edwards reminded the public that road safety is ‘everyone’s responsibility,’ including parents.
He said: ‘We will be addressing the dangerous and illegal use of e-bikes in our communities to ensure no one is seriously injured or killed.’
He also warned, ‘Parents can be fined or even charged for allowing their children to ride these vehicles if unlicensed, unregistered, or modified.’
According to Edwards: ‘Electric bikes are not toys, and the rules around the use of an electric bike are the same as a motorbike, regardless of being powered by an electric battery instead of petrol.’
Mackay residents were advised to expect an increased police presence over the Easter school holidays, with more e-bike users likely to take to the streets.
With more people turning to these fast-growing vehicles, it’s crucial to understand the potential dangers involved.
To dive deeper into why e-bikes could become deadly without proper regulation, check out our full story here.
With e-bikes becoming more popular among kids, do you think the current rules are enough to keep our roads safe? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
