An 11-year-old was detained while riding his electric dirt bike near Orlando, and he may have to miss school to attend his court hearing.
Cade’s arrest by police in Oviedo was captured on bodycam footage on September 7.
“You need to show up, okay? “Or they’re going to issue a warrant for you,” stated an officer.
The sixth grader was on his way to a fishing pond on his electric dirt bike when he came to a stop.
“Do you think a child’s dirt bike is a motorcycle? “I don’t, but by law and technical standards, it is,” said Cade’s father, Chris Kirchner.
Kirchner stated that his son was approximately 300 feet from their home. He stated that Cade was riding on the shoulder and that his electric dirt bike is limited to 20 mph.
“The officer treated him as if he was an adult on a motorcycle and asked him for his license, registration, proof of insurance, which obviously he doesn’t have that, he’s a child,” Kirchner replied.
Cade’s dirt bike was pulled away by police, who also issued him a penalty.
According to Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek, Cade is a good kid, but the police’ hands were tied.
“The state of Florida regulates motorcycle use, and the definition of what counts as a motorcycle and what counts as an e-bike, even if it has two wheels, if it doesn’t have pedals and a chain, the state of Florida will classify that as a motorcycle and not as an e-bike,” Sladek stated.
According to Oviedo Police, the vehicle in question is a 4500 watt motorcycle. To be legally authorized on the road, it must be registered and meet the Department of Transportation’s motorbike criteria. The rider would need to hold a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement.
Police also stated that while many offenses may have resulted in tickets, the officer only issued one for an unregistered car.
Kirchner stated that while he sees the need for restrictions in the field of micromobility, this was an overreach.
“We don’t want organized groups of 19-year-olds terrorizing intersections, but we also don’t want sixth graders getting arrested and charged,” he stated.
The city of Oviedo is currently working on a micromobility ordinance. The vote is set for October. 5.
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