Mackay Whitsundays Highway Patrol officers continue to identify, disrupt and prevent the illegal use of electric motorcycles and Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), issuing further fines and charges as children return to school.
Since Operation Wolfking commenced in January, police have administered 54 charges, including driving unlicensed, driving uninsured, driving unregistered, and driving a defective vehicle.
Police have also completed 35 street checks and issued 82 infringement notices, with the majority of offences being failure to wear an approved helmet and riding a PMD on a prohibited road, both of which incur a $166 fine. Other infringements included riding an e-bike unregistered, unlicensed, or uninsured.
Mackay Whitsundays District Highway Patrol Sergeant Daniel Goldburg said the ongoing operation is a reminder to road users about the importance of wearing a helmet, and to children and parents to know the rules and potential dangers around electric bikes.
“We want to ensure kids and parents are aware of the laws surrounding e-bikes and PMDs, and to know that officers will be charging offenders and parents for these infringements,” said Sergeant Goldberg.
“If a bike is being used as throttle-powered only, it’s a motorbike. And the rules are the same as that for a motorbike including the rider being licenced and the bike registered.”
“Officers will continue to enforce road safety and the dangerous and illegal use of e-bikes in our communities to ensure riders, road users, and pedestrians make it safely to and from their destination.”
“Wearing a helmet and staying off the road is simple, and it’s lifesaving.”
