Queensland Police issue 1650 fines in state-wide e-bike, e-scooter crackdown ahead of Christmas

Thousands of fines have been dished out to riders as part of a state-wide blitz targeting illegal e-bike and e-scooter riders as police issue a major warning to parents.

Queensland Police have handed out 1650 traffic fines since launching a state-wide, seven-week crackdown on e-bikes and e-scooters.

Speaking on Sunrise on Thursday, Queensland Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler described the devices as an “emerging challenge for police” and issued a warning to parents about the risks they pose.

“It’s up to parents to get across the rules,” Superintendent Wheeler said.

Gold Coast police charged a teenager after stopping an unregistered, unlicensed electric dirt bike carrying a passenger in Nerang last November. Picture: QLD Police

Police are particularly concerned that a spike in purchases over the Christmas period could lead to more accidents.

Superintendent Wheeler said e-scooters and e-bikes are not suitable for all children.

The devices are banned for those under 12, while riders aged 12 to 16 must be supervised by an adult.

For e-bikes, any device with a motor output exceeding 250 watts is illegal to ride in public spaces across Queensland.

“The gifts that are being bought going into Christmas may not be age-appropriate for some of the children that are getting these gifts,” Superintendent Wheeler warned.

Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said “it’s up to parents to get across the rules” to ensure children’s safety. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Helmet use is also a major focus, with 1300 of the fines issued for riders failing to wear one.

Superintendent Wheeler said this presents “greater risk for obvious reasons”.

Authorities are also targeting modified devices, with conversion kits increasingly used to boost motor power beyond legal limits.

In such cases, police can seize the devices and prosecute both parents and children.

“We will seize those devices in those cases. Parents and children, at times, depending on the circumstances, can be subject to prosecution,” Superintendent Wheeler said.

Police have handed out 1650 fines in a seven-week crackdown targeting unsafe e-bike and e-scooter riders. Picture: QLD Police

Since 2018, at least 37 fatalities in Queensland have involved personal motorised devices, with nearly a quarter of cases involving children under 16.

“Any life lost is, of course, tragic, but young lives lost is exceptionally tragic,” Superintendent Wheeler said.

Police are urging parents to fully understand the rules and supervise children carefully rather than giving them “blanket permission” to ride.

Originally published as Queensland Police issue 1650 fines in state-wide e-bike, e-scooter crackdown ahead of Christmas