WITH an increase in the frequency of incidents involving E-Mobility Devices (EMDs), Coolum Police are asking parents and guardians to help them keep children safe and to be aware that fines can and will be issued for breaches.

Operation Overwatch is focused on reducing dangerous and unlawful e-motorcycle behaviour in the Coolum Beach division, and Sergeant Bryant from Coolum Beach Police Station said some of the behaviour related to EMDs 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.

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.

“Allowing a child, and therefore an inexperienced and unlicenced driver, access to such a powerful vehicle places their lives at risk, as well as the safety of the wider community.

“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 km per hour.”

“If you wouldn’t let your underage child ride a Harley-Davidson, don’t let them ride an illegal e-motorbike,” Sergeant Bryant from Coolum Police said.  

Police want the community to know that 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.

Parents need to be aware or face fines
Sergeant Bryant stated that it was imperative that parents support the police in their efforts to curtail reckless EMD usage.

“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 and creating a safer community is a shared responsibility, and we urge all residents to report unsafe or unlawful behaviour when they see it.”

Police have and will continue to undertake extensive engagement, education, and enforcement initiatives aimed at improving community awareness and compliance around EMDs, including school-based presentations, community safety days, community question-and-answer sessions, and innovative operations using drones to safely identify EMD-related offenders.

“Expect to see police anywhere and at any time, including a knock at your door if we have identified you or your child as an offender,” Sergeant Bryant said.

“Police will continue to do all we can to educate and enforce; however, community safety begins in your home.”

Where and how to report
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