Dirt bikes which reach speeds of 75km/h identified as biggest “scourge” in parks
Parents - listen up. Do not buy your kids motorised bikes unless they have land to ride them, pleads this Gold Coast councillor. SEE THE VIDEO
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A Gold Coast councillor is warning parents not to buy their kids motorised bikes unless they have land to ride them.
Mudgeeraba-based councillor Glenn Tozer said a large proportion of the complaints at his office were about motorbikes — both electric and petrol — with a sharp spike in the school holidays.
“Parents who do not have acres to ride and who cannot manage their children’s behaviour on their bikes should not purchase their children motorised bikes,” he said.
“At the moment there’s no responsibility. Council doesn’t have a crack team of mercenaries who go out on bikes and enforce the law.
“We don’t have any legislation that enables us to do that.
“Either police need to be resourced properly or we need to change the laws so those bikes can be managed and we manage people’s expectations of using dirt bikes and electric bikes in the hinterland.”
A video posted to social media of three teenagers tearing up a Mudgeeraba park has caused confusion about the worst-offending bike riders as the debate rages about electric scooters in the city.
A mountain bike coach, who asked not to be named, said dirt bikes were “the new scourge”. These bikes have no pedals and a high-power electric motor.
“They are defined by Queensland police as the same as any other motorbike. It’s completely crazy for a parent to let a pre-teen ride one around the busy suburban roads,” the coach said.
He said the bikes cost between $6000 and $10,000 and could reach speeds of up 75km/h.
“I’ve seen a group of kids on dirt bikes and high-powered scooters, they are going down Christine Avenue at 70 to 80km an hour,” the mountain bike coach said.
Under Queensland laws, if a bike has a petrol-powered engine attached before or after purchase or if its electric motor can reach speeds of more than 25km/h it is non-compliant.
It is also non-compliant if the bike has non-functioning pedals that do not propel it or if you can twist a throttle and ride your bike using the motor power only.
Non-compliant bikes can only be ridden on private property with no public access.
Stressed hinterland residents warn it “is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt” as the state government faces more pressure to crack down on bike hoons.
Community groups have written to the government calling for compulsory registration and speed restrictions, as residents say they fear for their safety.
“Frankly, the State needs to act on new laws to keep our paths and parks safe from bikes, perhaps licensing every rider including juniors, and resource police so that enforcement can be enhanced for a few seasons,” Mr Tozer said.
“We work as closely with police as we can on this issue, because only they have authority to enforce vehicle crimes beyond parking offences.
“I’m also working on a project to create a lawful place to ride in or near the hinterland so there can be no excuse for bad behaviour.”
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Originally published as Dirt bikes which reach speeds of 75km/h identified as biggest “scourge” in parks
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