What’s Happening?
Queensland Police have seized 558 non-compliant e-mobility devices in the first three months of statewide Operation Yankee Surety.
Since the operation began on 1 July, police have targeted non-compliant devices and dangerous riding behaviours. Officers are also enforcing age and licensing requirements across Queensland.
Among the recent intercepts was a 14-year-old Darling Downs boy, whose e-motorcycle was seized on the Warrego Highway on 27 September.
Why It Matters
Operation Yankee Surety aims to improve safety for e-mobility riders and other road and pathway users. Police are targeting behaviours including speeding, drink riding and riding without a helmet.
Emergency Response and Coordination Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Tim Partrige said safety remains the focus of the operation.
“As with any road safety operation, our goal under Operation Yankee Surety is to protect all road and pathway users, including those on e-mobility devices,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Partrige said.
He also warned that unsafe riding can have consequences beyond the individual rider.
“Electric power assisted cycles, e-scooter and other e-mobility devices are vehicles, and like any other vehicle, dangerous behaviours like speeding, drink riding or using non-compliant devices can have life-threatening consequences – not only for the rider.”
Local Impact
On 27 September, police allegedly observed a 14-year-old Darling Downs boy riding a non-compliant e-motorcycle on the Warrego Highway.
Police allege the boy was travelling at about 40km/h without engaging the bike’s pedals. This exceeded the 25km/h pedal-assisted speed limit, making the device non-compliant.
Police seized the bike and dealt with the boy under the Youth Justice Act.
By The Numbers
- More than 2,400 traffic infringement notices were issued to e-mobility riders during the first three months of Operation Yankee Surety.
- About 1,500 fines were issued for failing to wear a helmet, accounting for more than 60 per cent of the fines.
- 878 roadside breath tests were conducted on e-mobility riders, resulting in 68 drink riders being intercepted.
Zoom In
Beyond the device seizures, police caught 157 riders speeding during the first three months of the operation.
Meanwhile, licensing restrictions came into effect on 31 August. Since then, police have issued 64 tickets.
As Operation Yankee Surety enters its fourth month, Acting Assistant Commissioner Partrige said police continue to detect riders breaking the rules.
“In just three months of the new legislation being operationalised, police have issued more than 2,400 fines to riders not following the rules and continue to detect more dangerous riders every day.”
Zoom Out
Operation Yankee Surety combines enforcement with community education and rider engagement across Queensland.
Police are targeting non-compliant devices while enforcing age and licensing requirements and addressing dangerous riding behaviours.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Partrige said enforcement would continue.
“Non-compliant devices and dangerous riding have no place in our communities, and police will continue to take enforcement action against those disregarding the law.”
What To Look For Next?
Operation Yankee Surety will continue across Queensland until 30 June 2027.
Police will continue educating the community, engaging with riders and enforcing e-mobility laws throughout the operation.