Aussie dad slapped with $700 fine for son's illegal road act: 'Not a toy' (2025)

Parents are being warned they can cop hefty fines for allowing their children to perform illegal acts on Aussie roads. Queensland Police recently issued infringement notices totalling over $700 to a Mackay dad for allegedly permitting his 15-year-old son to ride a modified e-bike.

The offences the 50-year-old man was hit with included permitting the drive of an uninsured bike, permitting the drive of a defective vehicle, and permitting the use of an unregistered motorbike.

It comes as Australian authorities are increasingly cracking down on the use of e-bikes — with enforcement officers spotted targeting e-bike users in Sydney's CBD earlier this year.

"We are seeing frequent instances of children sometimes as young as 12 riding high-powered non-compliant electric motorcycles, sometimes on busy streets around towns," Mackay Whitsunday District Highway Patrol Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Shane Edwards, said.

"These e-bikes are often dangerous to the rider and other motorists, and to pedestrians on our roads and pathways."

Owners of $2,000 e-bike toy under fire

Since the beginning of the year, police in Mackay have conducted 18 street checks looking for non-compliant electric bikes. Infringement notices have been issued for a string of offences, including riding unregistered, unlicensed and uninsured vehicles as well as failing to wear an approved helmet, with those charged aged between 13 and 16 years old.

E-bikes are growing in popularity with the younger generation, but come with a hefty price tag. The average price of an e-bike is $2,000. Entry-level bikes can cost around $1,000, with higher-end bikes costing up to $6,000, according to outdoor retailer REI.

While states and territories have varying rules around e-bikes, they must all be propelled by the rider and cannot be reliant solely on a motor, with their top speeds to be capped at 25km/h.

Ed Hore, President of the Australian Cycling Alliance, previously told Yahoo News Australia we need to get electric bikes that have a throttle and are capable of speeds well beyond the legal limits, off our roads.

The other solution is to introduce a major licence change, he says, making anyone who rides one requiring a licence and insurance to do so.

And while Hore says the main users of throttle e-bikes are food delivery riders, people across the country are noticing an alarming trend — children are now riding them.

Road safety 'everyone's responsibility' including parents

Senior Sergeant Edwards warned Aussies that road safety is "everyone's responsibility".

"We will be addressing the dangerous and illegal use of e-bikes in our communities to ensure no one is seriously injured or killed," he said.

“Parents can be fined or even charged for allowing their children to ride these vehicles if unlicensed, unregistered, or modified.”

“Electric bikes are not toys, and the rules around the use of an electric bike are the same as a motorbike, regardless of being powered by an electric battery instead of petrol.”

“Mackay motorists can expect to see an increased presence throughout the Easter school holidays, with an increase in e-bike users expected.”

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