E-bike riders hit in police crackdown but Tate wants more
Police have intercepted 35 Gold Coast e-bike riders, and 14 juveniles were charged during a two-day blitz on unsafe and unlawful behaviour by riders.
The crackdown will continue throughout the school holidays.
But Mayor Tom Tate says Queensland’s laws need to be even tougher to punish the offenders.
Mr Tate said he wanted riders to hold a license, for the bikes to be speed limited to 15kmh and for manufacturers to required to limit the top speeds.
“(An e-bike) doesn’t need to go up to 40, 50 kilometres per hour, which is dangerous, so that legislation should be put through as soon as possible,’’ Mr Tate said.
“I welcome technology, but the legislation should keep up with it.”
Among those charged was a 13-year-old Bonogin boy who police allege was riding an e-bike at more than 70kmh along Christine Avenue before failing to stop at two red lights.
He was charged with driving of motor vehicle without a driver’s licence, driving an uninsured vehicle, disobeying the speed limit, failing to wear a wearing motorbike helmets, failure to drive within a single marked lane, riding a defective vehicle and two counts of failing to stop on a red traffic light.
A 14-year-old boy, also riding an e-motorbike, was charged with evading police and committing dangerous operation of a vehicle. Additional offences included riding unregistered, uninsured, unlicensed, and failing to wear a helmet.
In another incident, a 15-year-old boy was intercepted on an e-motorbike, which was subsequently impounded by police. He was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act for alleged offences including unlicensed driving, riding an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, operating a defective vehicle, failing to stop, driving without due care, and driving on a nature strip.
Police also dealt with a 16-year-old boy riding an e-motorbike under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act for eight separate offences.
Acting Superintendent Michelle Piket said the boy’s behaviour was particularly concerning.
“We’ve already seen the devastating consequences when riders choose to travel at high speeds and neglect basic safety equipment like helmets,” Acting Superintendent Piket said.
“These machines are capable of travelling very quickly, but riders often don’t fully appreciate just how vulnerable they are when something goes wrong.”
Acting Superintendent Piket said officers frequently witnessed dangerous behaviour from e-bike riders.
“Our officers see young people trying to evade police or darting through heavy traffic, and when adrenaline kicks in, that’s when mistakes are made. Those mistakes can be catastrophic,” she said.
“We want parents to understand the risks. If your child is riding one of these (e-bikes), make sure that the device is lawful and compliant, they are following the rules and have the proper safety gear.
“Too often we have conversations with parents after something has already gone horribly wrong.”
Queensland’s been deemed the worst in the country in terms of e-bike incidents and Gold Coast plays a big part in those numbers.
Mr Tate said he would like new laws to be in place by Christmas this year.
“That’s why I have the urgency to write to the state government because it is the state government who can legislate and once I do that I will continue advocacy whether it’s directly or through the media,’’ he said.
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