Police are targeting illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes in the Maroochydore area under Operation Raptor Wheelie.
The operation, which will run until the end of December, has been established to conduct proactive high visibility and covert patrols to reduce the road trauma in the wider Maroochydore area.
With a large amount of illegal e-bike and e-scooter use committed by children, the operation will have a strong focus on educating parents around their responsibilities and the consequences they face when permitting their child’s illegal use of an electric device.
The operation will also include engagements with local high schools, and a focus on investigating reports of illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes as posted on social media or reported by the public to identify offenders.
Sergeant Ryan Cole from Maroochydore Police Station said police are working towards reducing the road trauma.
“The main issues we see on e-scooters and e-bikes are unlicenced driving of an unregistered vehicle, speeding and dangerous driving, including wheelies, swerving in and out of traffic, driving the wrong way on roads and illegal modifications of the devices,” Sergeant Cole said.
“For a device to be considered an e-bike, pedals must be the primary source of power and have a maximum continuous motor output 250 watts. If it does not comply with that, the e-bike is considered a motorbike, which requires the driver to have a licence, and the bike to be registered and insured.
“These devices can be powerful and when driven dangerously by an unlicenced and inexperienced driver, can be deadly.
“The focus of this operation isn’t to issue fines or charges, but to reduce the amount of road trauma we see as a result of dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes.
“But if we have to arrest or fine drivers, or their parents, for them to understand the gravity of the responsibility they have on the road, and their illegal behaviour, then we will have to. This is about saving lives.
“Parents can and will be fined or charged for permitting their child’s dangerous or illegal use of an e-scooter or e-bike.
“I urge parents to become familiar with the regulations and road rules relevant to the device their child is using and work with their child to understand and respect those rules.
“We have seen significant trauma, life-changing injuries and fatalities from e-scooters and e-bikes and I urge the community to work with us in stopping this trend for the safety of our children and all road users.
“Parents – we ask you work with us to ensure the safety of your child.”
For more information on riding e-bikes: streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/electric-bikes/
For more information on riding e-scooters: streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/initiatives/pmd-rules/
