Police fine riders who flout bike rules

A Bunbury man riding an unregistered motorised bicycle was issued fines totalling $750 as police cracked down on the “nuisance” bikes last week.

Power-assisted bicycles – those with a petrol engine added – must be registered and the rider licensed if they produce more than 200 watts of power.

South West traffic officer-in charge Sgt Craig Clarke said police had charged several riders who had been travelling around town on push bikes powered by added engines.

Sgt Clarke said the bikes were being driven on footpaths where they were causing a nuisance and could be dangerous to pedestrians and themselves.

One man was issued a $400 fine for driving a without a licence, $150 fine for driving an unlicensed vehicle, $100 for not wearing a helmet and $100 for driving on the path.

Another man received $500 worth of fines after being caught by police with an “unroadworthy” vehicle on a footpath.