Police in Geelong have intercepted a local man riding an illegally modified and overpowered electric bicycle while he was disqualified from holding any driver's licence.
Traffic Stop Reveals Multiple Offences
The incident occurred on Thursday, April 10, in the northern Geelong suburb of Norlane. Officers from the Geelong Highway Patrol stopped the 40-year-old Norlane man as he was riding the e-bike on Cox Road.
A subsequent inspection of the vehicle revealed significant illegal modifications. The electric bicycle was found to be powered by a motor exceeding the legal power output limit permitted for such vehicles on Australian roads.
Driver History Catches Up With Rider
Checks by police uncovered an even more serious issue. The rider was currently disqualified from driving any motor vehicle. In the eyes of the law, the modified e-bike met the definition of a motor vehicle due to its capabilities, meaning the man was committing a further offence by operating it.
The man was issued with a summons to face the Geelong Magistrates' Court at a later date. He is expected to be charged with multiple traffic offences related to both the condition of the vehicle and his disqualified status.
A Warning on E-Bike Modifications
This case serves as a stark reminder of the regulations governing electric bicycles in Victoria and across Australia. For an e-bike to be legally ridden without registration, licensing, or helmet requirements (in some states), it must adhere to strict criteria:
- The electric motor must have a maximum power output of 250 watts.
- The motor must only provide assistance when the rider is pedalling and must cut out once the bicycle reaches 25 kilometres per hour.
- E-bikes that exceed these specifications, or are modified to do so, are classified as motorcycles or mopeds. This requires the rider to hold a valid licence, the vehicle to be registered, and the rider to wear an approved helmet.
Police have consistently warned that they are targeting illegally modified e-bikes and scooters, which pose a significant safety risk to riders and the public due to their often excessive and unregulated speed.
The outcome of this court case will be closely watched by local authorities and cycling groups as a precedent for enforcing road rules on personal mobility devices.
