Police have charged a 12-year-old Peregian Beach boy after allegedly driving a motorbike on the road in Maroochydore.
It is alleged police saw the boy driving a Talaria XXX TL2500 along Cornmeal Parade around 4.15pm on Monday 24 March.
Sunshine Coast District Officer Acting Superintendent Chris Toohey said the child was on a motorbike, not an e-bike.
“There is a misconception that all bikes powered by an electric battery are legal e-bikes that can be ridden by children – that’s not always the case,” he said.
The boy was allegedly driving dangerously on the road, causing a traffic hazard for other road users, before driving across the lawns and into the driveway of a police station.
Police arrested the boy in the driveway of the police station and seized the motorbike.
Acting Superintendent Toohey said, “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.”
“At the young age of 12, the boy was riding a motorbike on the road, which is powerful enough to be considered a vehicle that must be registered, insured and driven by a licence holder.
“I urge parents or anyone wanting to purchase a bike to know the differences between an e-bike and a motorbike and the different rules that apply to each vehicle.
“Please do not put yourself or your children in extremely dangerous situations by allowing them to ride powerful motorbikes before they’re legally allowed.”
The 12-year-old boy has been charged with one count each of driving without due care and attention or driving without reasonable consideration for other persons using road or place, driving of motor vehicle without driver licence, vehicles used on roads must be registered, drive uninsured vehicle, and trespass.
He was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
For more information on e-bikes, please visit the Street Smarts website: streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/electric-bikes/
