The bike is another matter. By impounding it, that makes the dad go through the loops he should have in the first place. If he has a problem with that, he can take it up with the seller.
Yes, under Florida law, it's considered a motorcycle because it has no pedals, power is over 750W and is capable of speeds in excess of 28mph.
The rider has to have a driver license with motorcycle endorsement.
To be street-legal, a motorcycle is required to have lights, turn signals, registration and insurance.
This has become a big problem for Oviedo. The police tried education & warnings. It didn't work.
Now they've moved onto enforcement. They're issuing citations, fines and impounding.
The best way to get someone's attention is to hit them where it counts; in the wallet.
The dad knew the motorcycle wasn't street legal, yet knowingly let the kid ride illegally on the public road.
Now he gets to lose work to take the kid to court, pay a fine, towing and impound fees.
Dangerous riding: 'Reckless' e-bike usage leads to multiple citations for Oviedo teens
Police said teens are using these devices to travel the wrong way on major roads, using them recklessly at pedestrians, riding them into impending traffic, dodging vehicles dangerously and conducting meetups – where large groups take over roadways.
Oviedo Police's Lieutenant Adam Egert says e-bikes and e-scooters have become an increasing problem, saying, "Kids are playing chicken with cars."
‘We’re done with warnings'
On Tuesday, January 6, Oviedo Police officers issued around one dozen citations to students outside Jackson Heights Middle School. Officers monitored the teens arriving at the middle school after receiving complaints about students speeding and riding recklessly to school.
Several months prior, the department said it attempted to educate riders about using e-bikes safely by posting information online and on social media pages. However, following Christmas break, Egert said they’ve seen an uptick not only in electric scooters and bikes, but also an uptick in children driving them dangerously.
"We’ve tried education, now we’re at the enforcement level," he said. "I’d rather have a good interaction with a kid than a negative interaction with the whole family."
It could have been worse
"Many of the citations issued were written with discretion and provided less severe violations," the department said in a statement.
Each citation comes with a $116 fine, according to Egert, but the lieutenant said officers went easy on the young offenders.
"They could have handed out moving violations – as well as criminal citations for operating a motor vehicle," he said.
One of the kids officers stopped had a device capable of reaching around 50 miles per hour, Egert said. Several of the bikes stopped on Thursday didn't have pedals, the department said.
"If it has no pedals, you have to have a driver’s license. That’s bottom line," Egert said. "If it’s over 750 watts, or it can travel over 28 miles an hour, it’s not legal on the road without a driver’s license."
From the article: "According to the news outlet, Cade got his e-bike after raising $900 through his summer business selling squirrel tables."
Now he gets to lose work to take the kid to court, pay a fine, towing and impound fees.
I didn't go to the source article, but from this it looks like the dad didn't know. IMHO, to inform them of such is the responsibility of the seller, or should be in all transactions re motor vehicles.
Thanks for the extra info!
Much appreciated.