Posted on 09/25/2026 9:32:53 AM PDT by Red Badger
An 11-year-old’s ride to a fishing spot in Oviedo, Florida, ended with police stopping him, fingerprinting him, towing his electric dirt bike, and ordering him to appear in court.
Cade Kirchner, a sixth grader, was riding toward a nearby pond with his fishing pole on Labor Day, September 7.
His father, Chris Kirchner, said Cade was about 300 feet from home and traveling on the road’s shoulder.
The family says the bike was limited to 20 miles per hour. FOX 35 Orlando reported that police classified it as a motorcycle under Florida law.
They say the 4,500-watt machine has pegs instead of pedals, so Florida law classifies it as a motorcycle, not an e-bike, meaning it needs registration, insurance, a motorcycle endorsement, and a licensed adult rider.
The citation was issued under Florida Statute 320.02 for an unregistered vehicle, which requires a court appearance.
Because Cade had no driver’s license, they put his fingerprint on the ticket to satisfy ID rules. The bike was towed because it “is not legally allowed on the roadway.”
Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek called Cade a “good kid” but said officers’ hands were tied by state definitions. Police added they could have piled on more citations and chose only one.
"The State of Florida regulates motorcycle use, and the definition of what counts as a motorcycle and what counts as an e-bike," Mayor Sladek said.
"Even if it has two wheels, if it doesn't have pedals, the State of Florida will classify that as a motorcycle and not as an e-bike."
Body-camera footage shows an officer warning Cade that he had to appear in court or “they’re going to put out a warrant.”
The hearing is scheduled for a school day, meaning the sixth grader will have to miss class. ClickOrlando reported that his father plans to ask prosecutors to dismiss the case.
According to the news outlet, Cade got his e-bike after raising $900 through his summer business selling squirrel tables.
Video via Fox35 Orlando:
VIDEO AT LINK.................
“Spoiled yahoo of a kid”. Did you raise the equivalent amount of money to buy your own equipment? Did you ever take yourself fishing? Why would you demean the 11 year old like that?
They didn't just cite him; he was arrested. That means they took him in to where they fingerprinted him.
I see that you continue to absolve the parents of responsibility for the actions of their 11yo kid.
From my first post on this thread: This was the parents’ fault, albeit the cops’ handling of it was excessive. The proper response would have been to give the kid a ride home and impound his bike.
Morons, both of you. I didn't absolve the parents. I did explain why the State is ALSO at fault here because they did not enforce the law re what is allowed on their streets as a motorcycle at the point of sale where it belongs.
Please cite the source that shows they 'took him in to where they fingerprinted him.'
This was the parents’ fault, albeit the cops’ handling of it was excessive. The proper response would have been to give the kid a ride home and impound his bike.
Once again, the 'cops' tried education.
Once again, the 'cops' tried warnings.
Once again, it didn't work.
Once again, the 'cops' had to resort to strict enforcement of the laws because their attempts at community outreach fell on deaf ears.
Still trying to blame the seller by saying that it's their responsibility to make sure the buyer knows and obeys the laws of operation of an OHV.
Yes (and yes, I bought my own bicycle), and Yes (and yes, I bought my own fishing rod), and Yes, I really didn’t need to berate the kid. Why in the world his parents would allow him to purchase a 4500 watt bike does however seem a bit indulgent. From what one can glean from the ‘net, such bikes are capable of speeds approaching 50 mph. The report about it being 4500 watts could of course be wrong, as could the info about speed such bikes are capable...
“I didn’t absolve the parents. I did explain why the State is ALSO at fault....”
Apparently following the law is a matter of personal preference for you.
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