Police clock teen e-bike riders going 120kph on Gold Coast HighwayBy Emma HanniganABC Gold CoastTopic:Electric Vehicles1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:01amThe dangerous and illegal use of e-motorbikes has become more prevalent in recent years. (Supplied: Queensland Police)In short:Gold Coast police are questioning two teenagers who were allegedly clocked riding an e-bike at more than 120kph on a main road.Police say the pair evaded capture until the e-bike battery ran out of power.What's next?The Gold Coast mayor says a tougher approach is needed to deal with riders who flout the rules.abc.net.au/news/speeding-teenage-ebike-riders-gold-coast-police/105257602Link copiedShareShare articlePolice say they have clocked two teenagers going 120kph on an e-bike on the Gold Coast, but they have not been charged.The boys, 16 and 17, were allegedly spotted on an electric dirt bike on Sundale Bridge in Southport at 1am on Saturday while doing wheel-stands and riding erratically.With the police helicopter watching overhead, officers did not stop the bike until it ran out of battery and they moved in.A Queensland police spokesperson said no formal charges had been laid against either teenager, but investigations were continuing."Officers continue to review all available vision to establish who committed the alleged offences," the spokesperson said in a statement.Gold Coast police officer Jason Tuffley said the kind of bike used by the pair could not be registered.Queensland Police Service (QPS) says e-bikes are becoming increasingly problematic. (ABC News)"They can reach incredible speeds, however they're not registered and riders don't have a licence to operate them on the road," Acting Superintendent Tuffley said."They are, for all intents and purposes, a trail bike."Urgent need for parliamentary inquiryThe Queensland government last week announced a parliamentary inquiry into the use of e-scooters and e-bikes to improve safety and address community concerns about their rise in popularity.A similar inquiry in New South Wales earlier this year found regulations on e-bikes, e-scooters and e-mobility devices were in urgent need of reform.Eight Queenslanders died in e-bike and e-scooter incidents last year.Injuries associated with their use have skyrocketed in recent years.Superintendent Tuffley said Queensland's inquiry was urgently needed as police were doing all they could to deal with a rapid rise in the number of e-vehicles.He said it was a complex issue."The riders are typically juveniles who are not licensed or qualified to travel at that speed on the roads," he said."And it is not in police or community interest to pursue a juvenile operating one of these vehicles."The problems are only going to increase if it's not addressed."Technological approachGold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he was disappointed e-bike riders continued to flout road rules.He said it appeared police and lawmakers were fighting a losing battle with existing legislation and it was time for a technological approach."We should insist on every single e-bike having speed control, meaning that when they hit certain areas there's a maximum speed they can go," Councillor Tate said.Tom Tate wants e-bikes to be speed-limited in some areas of the Gold Coast. (ABC Gold Coast: Steve Keen)"It might be that together with the state government that in certain areas the maximum speed is 20 kilometres per hour and when they [e-bike riders] get into that zone the speed comes straight down."That's the sort of technology we've got to do because to put other legislation in, they [e-bike riders] will just keep going."He said e-bike riders were "taking their life in their hands" when riding at high speeds and suggested introducing riders to crash and trauma victims as part of an education program."That, and an advertising campaign — a shock one — that has a truthful, shocking attitude that shows you're not just going to harm yourself, but you're going to harm other people too," Cr Tate said.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:01am, updated 3m ago3 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:21amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesDying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatLIVEPhoto shows Perin Davey listens to a press conference by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek at Parliament HouseWhat's causing an unprecedented and deadly disease outbreak in Queensland?Topic:Infectious DiseasesPhoto shows A middle-aged man wearing a grey singlet and beige cap sits in his backyard.Could Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxPhoto shows A man sitting on a stage wearing a suit and tie.Liberal preferences may help elect Climate 200-backed independent who vows to end gasTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Kate Hulett and her supporters at an election night functionRelated storiesQld government criticised for featuring e-bike on beach in tourism adTopic:Travel and TourismPhoto shows man on ebike on beachPush to get 'dangerous' e-motorbikes off road and onto own legal trackTopic:Electric VehiclesPhoto shows bike doing a wheelieBattery fires are increasing. 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