Police are waging war on a new type of road menace.
They’re receiving mounting complaints about mountain bikes fitted with internal combustion engines.
The bikes are illegal if they haven’t followed the same licensing and safety rules of a motorbike, and people have seen traffic offences, near misses, and excessive noise.
“Riding motorbikes at speed in close proximity to pedestrians is a recipe for disaster, and there have been near misses with riders not giving way to pedestrians on footpaths and at pedestrian crossings,” police said.
“There is also the issue of design and construction of the bikes.”
Police have seen loose drive chains flapping centimetres from a child’s leg, a fuel tank with a rag stuffed in the filler hole, and a loose fuel line positioned above the hot exhaust pipe.
Bikes can be bought and ridden on private property, but police said they’re making their way onto roads – unlicensed and not compliant with road safety standards.
“South East Queensland has many parks where motorbikes can be ridden legally, so consider making use of them if your bike meets the correct requirements,” police said.
“Police seek to identify the riders of the motorised bicycles with a view towards educating both the rider and, in the case of children, their parents about the relevant rules and risks.
“Repeat offending may result in the rider and their parents or guardians being issued traffic infringement notices or a notice to appear before court.”
