E-motorbikes are throttle-driven, high-powered (usually 2000W and over) and are classified as motorbikes.
Oamaru school community officer Constable Jay Morriss said the "police expectation is that any vehicle over 300w, the rider should have a driver’s licence and should be wearing a helmet, as you would with a motorbike or any petrol powered motor".
E-bikes that are pedal-assisted vehicles, under 300W and are permitted in parks, reserves or on the A2O trail, he said.
A parent the Oamaru Mail spoke to said the A2O trails could be a great and safe way for e-motorbikes to get around the link system, especially for younger riders.
The majority of online community responses were in favour of riders’ choice and rider responsibility.
Barbara Hayes said she had experienced consideration with e-bike users on public trails while out walking and not all riders were "rip, tear and bust".
Under the Reserves Act (1977) fines for this can range from $800 to $1600, and the confiscation of the vehicle.
Const Morriss said fines would be at the discretion of police but education was key around these high-powered e-motorbikes.
"Potentially the parents that are buying these things, they need to be well aware that they seem to be an amazing plaything but also there is an element of responsibility that goes with it and unfortunately it can’t just be as simple as here’s a fun toy.
"The rider and the person responsible for that rider need to know that they need to be in an appropriate place and in this instance that happens to be a private property or farm, unless they have a licence."
