Sunshine Coast teens’ e-bikes seized in police crackdown

Sunshine Coast police have seized three e-bikes and charged a teenager after conducting search warrants, warning others breaking the rules they will be caught.

Police are seizing illegal e-bikes on the coast. Picture: Jorina Maureschat

Sunshine Coast police are cracking down on reckless e-bike use, confiscating three teens’ illegal e-bikes under an operation “to strengthen road safety in the wider Maroochydore area”.

Police have seized three illegal e-bikes after conducting three search warrants under Operation Raptor Wheelie.

Police have identified the offenders through instances they have witnessed or through other footage.

Three search warrants were conducted by police, with two being on October 2 in two separate Buderim homes of a 16- and 15 year-old boy, and one on October 8 in a Wurtulla resident of another 16-year old boy.

Police are seizing illegal e-bikes on the coast. Picture: Jorina Maureschat

Each of the boy’s e-bikes, helmets and mobile phones were “confiscated to assist with investigations.”

The 16-year old Buderim boy has since been charged.

“The 16-year-old Buderim boy has since been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving of motor vehicle without a driver’s licence, vehicle used on roads must be registered and drive uninsured vehicle,” read the media release.

“He was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.”

The three electric motorcycles that were seized include a Talaria, Surion, and Talaria TL2500 e-bike.

Operation Overwatch is also underway, which targets illegal e-bike use in the Coolum Beach area.

A Queensland policeman explained what makes certain e-bikes illegal, like being over 250 watts of powers.

Maroochydore Police Station Officer Senior Sergeant Jacob Flaherty said offenders should expect a visit from the police.

“Even if police do not intercept you at the time of offending, an investigation to identify you will follow,” Mr Flaherty said.

“We will attend your house to seize your electric motorbikes and mobile phones, or anything we believe can be used as evidence in our investigations.

“We take these investigations very seriously.”

He also asked for co-operation from parents.

“We ask parents to support us in standing against this behaviour and being aware of the differences between a legal e-bike and an illegal e-motorbike,” Mr Flaherty said.

People can read more information on riding e-bikes here.

Additional, information on riding e-scooters can be found here.