During an operation last month police found that 52% of e-bikes intercepted were overpowered, deeming them unregistered vehicles, with 44% of riders classed as unlicensed riders.
During Operation Consider, which ran during August, a total of 274 road users were intercepted, including 135 e-bikes, 30 bicycles and 17 petrol motorcycles.
Police patrolled on foot and using bicycles, motorcycles and highway patrol vehicles to target riders using overpowered and illegal e-bikes.
The operation saw members from Victoria Police’s State Highway Patrol and Solo Unit team up with North West Metro Bike Patrol in Melbourne’s city centre to enforce e-bike compliance and safety.
While not specifically targeted as part of the operation, police also intercepted 71 cars, 18 e-scooters and three pedestrians identified as not complying with road safety rules.
An overpowered e-bike is considered a motorcycle and subject to the same road rules as other motorcycles, including licensing and registration.
If caught on an overpowered or non-compliant e-bike, penalties can include using an unregistered vehicle, which carries a $1,018 fine.
Police issued a total of 257 infringements during Operation Consider including:
- 85 helmet offences
- 70 unregistered vehicle offences
- 60 unlicensed driver offences
- 14 failing to obey traffic signals / sign offences
- 10 driving in a manner which is unsafe offences
- 9 riding on footpath offences
- 6 mobile phone offences
- 3 other miscellaneous traffic offences
Police will continue to conduct e-bike enforcement operations over the coming months including over the school holidays which commence this week.
Parents and children are being urged to familiarise themselves with e-bike rules to ensure they aren’t caught out riding illegal bikes which are subject to significant penalties.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said: “The majority of intercepts during Operation Consider have been e-bikes, and the majority of offences detected have been for being unregistered and unlicensed – meaning the e-bike was overpowered.
“This indicates to police that there is a clear lack of understanding or blatant disregard for compliance when it comes to e-bikes.
“The reality is the onus is on the rider to ensure they understand and comply with the rules before using their e-bike.
“That means ensuring the e-bike does not exceed the power or speed requirements and that the rider adheres to the road rules applicable to all cyclists – such as wearing a helmet, not using a mobile phone or device while riding, using bicycle lanes and obeying traffic lights.
“We will always aim to educate and increase awareness of the rules, however we won’t hesitate to enforce where there are blatant breaches of the rules – particularly when it puts other road users at risk.
“As we’re about to head into the school holidays, we’re asking all riders and even parents of e-bike riders to ensure they’re familiar with the rules and using a compliant e-bike, otherwise they could face some significant penalties.”
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