Tom Wark
An infringement notice has been handed out every 45 minutes in Queensland as police mark the first month of a year-long e-bike crackdown.
Police dished out 991 traffic infringement notices to riders since the July 1 start of Operation Yankee Surety.
New laws were introduced to coincide with the start of the crackdown, such as police seizing illegal devices and roadside breath tests for riders.
Devices faster than 25km/h are banned and motors must be restricted to ensure they cannot exceed that speed.
Alongside the notices, police seized 249 illegal bikes – the equivalent of eight a day – and charged 24 people with drink-riding, Acting Deputy Commissioner Rhys Wildman said.
“We’re still detecting riders using non-compliant devices, failing to wear helmets, speeding and – alarmingly – riding under the influence of alcohol,” Wildman said.
“Every decision you make behind the wheel or on an e-mobility device matters.”
Wildman reminded parents they were responsible for their children’s e-bike actions, and could be fined for any transgressions.
The operation will run until the end of June 2027, by which time further laws will have come into force.
From the end of August, riders in Queensland must be aged 16 and hold a driver’s licence, although exceptions will be made for those aged 12 to 17 when riding under parental supervision.
Compliance labelling for e-bikes will be mandatory from the end of February 2027.
Other states have joined the e-bike crackdown, with NSW councils given new powers to establish “go-slow” and parking zones for the devices.
However, critics have called Queensland’s crackdown “ham-fisted” and said efforts to police e-bikes were doomed to fail without an increase in police resources.
AAP
From our partners
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
