Police: Petrol-powered bicycles are illegal

A petrol-powered bicycle. Photo/Police

With the summer holidays just around the corner, police are warning that the use of petrol-powered bicycles on a road is illegal and can result in injury to users.

The fitting of internal combustion motors to bicycles has become popular over the past year, however Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says they cannot be used on a road and there has already been a crash resulting in injury to one rider in 2014.

Typically, the petrol-powered motors come in three sizes, 50cc, 60cc and 70cc, and are supplied with a mounting kit and drive system for bicycles.

A bicycle fitted with the 50cc (or smaller) petrol-powered motor falls within a moped classification and those with larger engines fall within a motorcycle classification.

In both cases, the rider has to hold an appropriate drivers licence, wear an approved motorcycle helmet and the vehicle need to be registered and licenced.

In the case of motors greater than 50cc, a warrant of fitness is required.

In either case, a bicycle fitted with any of these motors is simply unable to meet the safety standards and legislative requirements for mopeds and motorcycles and for that reason cannot be used on a road and this is clearly specified by the suppliers of these engines.

Senior Sergeant Ian Campion. Photo/File

Mr Campion said these petrol-powered bicycles can reach speeds over 50km/h and can become difficult to control, and when coupled with their inherent braking inadequacies and low rated tyres, they are dangerous.

He said riders could amass significant fines for using petrol-powered bicycles on the road, and riders can expect to be stopped by police.

An example of some of the infringement fees are list below:

* Unregistered motor vehicle: $150

* Unlicenced motor vehicle: $100

* Not up to Warrant of Fitness standard: $150

* Unlicenced driver: $400

* No motorcycle helmet: $50

* No tail light on moped: $55

* No rear red reflector or tape on moped: $55

* Motorcycle / moped failed to use headlamp or day-time lamp during day: $100

* Operated moped without a brake on both wheels: $150

Mr Campion encouraged all riders to stay off the roads and asked parents and care givers to keep their teens safe by keeping them off the roads.