Police are calling on parents to join them in keeping their children safe following a number of incidents involving the use of illegal e-bike on the Sunshine Coast.
Operation Overwatch is focused on reducing dangerous and unlawful e-motorcycle behaviour in the Coolum Beach division.
Police continue to undertake extensive engagement, education, and enforcement initiatives aimed at improving community awareness and compliance around E-Mobility Devices (EMDs), including school-based presentations, community safety days, community question-and-answer sessions, and innovative operations using drones to safely identify EMD-related offenders.
Despite significant efforts to highlight the dangers of unlawful high-powered EMDs, police continue to receive reports of young people riding unlawful e-bikes in a dangerous and antisocial manner.
Sergeant Bryant from Coolum Beach Police Station said some of the behaviour is deeply concerning.
"It's both disappointing and frustrating to see parents not monitoring their children's behaviour on these devices which is often reckless, disorderly, and dangerous," Sergeant Bryant said.
"There are illegal e-bikes and conventional bikes that have been modified with retrofitted battery pack conversion kits in our community that are capable of travelling at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour.
"Allowing a child, and therefore inexperienced and unlicenced driver, access to such a powerful vehicle places their lives at risk, as well as the safety of the wider community.
"Illegal e-bikes may meet the requirements to be considered a motorbike, which means that every time a child rides an illegal e-bike on public roads, they are unlicensed, unregistered, and uninsured.
"If you wouldn't let your underaged child ride a Harley-Davidson, don't let them ride an illegal e-motorbike.
"Police will continue to do all we can to educate and enforce, however, community safety begins in your home.
"We need parents to support us in keeping their children safe by adhering to the rules and regulations around e-bike use, knowing the capacity of your child's e-bike, and ensuring your child is riding a legal device in a safe manner at all times.
"As parents, if you allow your child to ride an illegal e-bike you can also be charged for permitting your child to ride an illegal e-motorcycle unlicensed, unregistered, and uninsured which may result in a court appearance.
"These children are our friends, neighbours, and fellow community members - we all want to see them safe.
"Creating a safer community is a shared responsibility and we urge all residents to report unsafe or unlawful behaviour when they see it.
"Police will continue enforcement and education activities under Operation Overwatch as they work towards reducing road trauma and increasing community safety.
"Expect to see police anywhere and at anytime, including a knock at your door if we have identified you or your child as an offender."
If you have CCTV or vision of an offence, please report the evidence by contacting Policelink on 131 444 or online via www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Anyone with information about offenders can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
If there is a life-threatening emergency, please call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
For more information about the rules and regulations of e-bikes, visit: https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/electric-bikes/
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Data shows that serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the 'Fatal Five' behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads
