Five teenagers have been arrested and their e-bikes will be destroyed following an operation focused on the illegal use of e-bikes in Tweed Shire last weekend.
On Saturday, 13 September, officers attached to Tweed-Byron Police District, including police from the Proactive Crime Team, conducted Operation Cyclesafe, focused on the unlawful use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) in the Tweed Heads South, Banora Point, Kingscliff, Casuarina, and Pottsville areas.
As part of the operation, numerous cyclists and e-bike riders, both young persons and adults, were stopped and spoken to regarding offences including failure to wear a helmet and driving unregistered vehicles.
Police also spoke to a number of young people educating them on e-bike laws.
Arrests
At around 11.45am, a 15-year-old boy from Pottsville was seen to allegedly be travelling over 80km/h southbound on an electric motorbike in traffic.
About 12.05pm, a 13-year-old boy from Elanora, Queensland, was observed riding an e-bike recklessly, performing a wheelie, and exceeding the 25km/h limit.
About 3pm, a 14-year-old boy was detected travelling over 50km/h on an e-bike at Hastings Point.
About 1.50pm, a 13-year-old boy was observed speeding on an e-bike on Casuarina Way.
Shortly after, 16-year-old girl from Pottsville was observed travelling at 50km/h on an e-bike along Tweed Coast Road.
All five teenagers were stopped safely by police and arrested.
Community safety
Tweed/Byron Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matthew Zimmer, said there will be zero tolerance from police when it comes to keeping everyone safe.
‘This enforcement is about reducing road trauma and enhancing community safety, in particular other road users, pedestrians and customers frequenting shopping centres and public spaces,’ Det Insp Zimmer said.
‘These operations will continue with covert police deployments right across the district to prevent and disrupt the use of illegal e-bikes and associated e-bike offences.’
The five teenagers arrested will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act for various offences including use unregistered vehicle on road, use uninsured motor vehicle on road, owner use vehicle on road with tax unpaid, driver use mobile phone when not permitted and drive recklessly/furiously – speed/manner dangerous.
All five illegal e-bikes were impounded and will be destroyed.
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