Police concern over misuse of mini-bikes

ACT Policing has issued a warning to parents about their children riding illegally on unregistered mini-bikes and mini-quad bikes in public parks, on bike paths and in open spaces during the school holiday period.

Police are aware that hundreds of scaled-down motorcycles were sold during a recent bulk sale in Canberra.

Purchasers may not be aware that these motorcycles cannot be registered for road use, and can only be ridden within the boundaries of private property.

Fines for riding an unregistered motorcycle on roads or road-related areas exceed $900. Riding on roads or road-related areas without an approved safety helmet incurs a $249 fine.

Traffic Operations Sergeant Jeff Knight said that the concern by police is for public safety, and also for the safety of the bike riders, who may be as young as three years old.

“A parent may have bought a mini-bike for their son or daughter without seriously considering where that bike can be legally ridden,” Sgt Knight said.

“Children who ride these machines on bike paths or parks pose a risk and provide a nuisance to others. Given the volume of the mini-bikes sold recently, the misuse of these machines has the potential to be a major issue for the law-abiding public, police and ACT rangers.”

Police will take every opportunity to remind parents and riders of their safety obligations and the legislation prohibiting these bikes being ridden on public roads, road-related areas, on bikepaths, in parklands and public open spaces.