Margaret River police warn families about dangers of e-bikes, e-scooters as part of crackdown

Margaret River police have warned young people that it is illegal to ride some types of electric bikes and scooters if they are under the age of 16.

The alert follows a surge in young people accessing electric bikes and scooters for fun and easy school commutes, but it is causing safety problems.

Officers had recently confiscated e-rideables “hacked” to remove speed limit controls and did not want a return to the chaos similar to Bird’s trial scooter scheme, which saw numerous public safety concerns ultimately brought to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s attention.

Station chief Sgt Simone Taplin said too many young people were riding scooters and electric bikes that were off-limits, and police were seeing “recklessness” in user behaviour across the shire.

“Our luck will run out and we will be attending a very bad crash in the near future that will change the lives of many people in our town,” Sgt Taplin said.

“As a parent, you have the responsibility to help your kids comply with the laws.

“Buying them an e-scooter or e-bike that is classified as a vehicle that they are not lawfully allowed to use is irresponsible and you could be held responsible,” the top cop warned.

Sgt Taplin said the situation was alarming officers and police were now “pleading with parents to do the right thing”.

“We have seen enough trauma on our roads,” she said.

“As part of the emergency services team in Margaret River, we plead with parents to do the right thing and not allow kids under 16 to use these devices, and if they are of age, to enforce the use of helmets and safe riding.”

Guidelines on permitted vehicles by age group is available at wa.gov.au/organisation/road-safety-commission/erideables.