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Florida Boy's Fishing Trip Ends in Bike Seizure
27 Sep
Summary
- An 11-year-old was stopped on his electric dirt bike while fishing.
- The bike was purchased with savings from selling handmade tables.
- The vehicle was deemed an unregistered motorcycle under state law.
An 11-year-old boy from Oviedo, Florida, had his fishing excursion interrupted when police pulled him over on his electric dirt bike. The sixth grader was reportedly riding the bike at approximately 50 miles per hour near his home on Labor Day, September 7.
Cade Kirchner had saved about $900 from selling handmade squirrel tables during the summer to purchase the electric dirt bike himself. His father stated they believed it was an e-bike capped at 20 mph. However, city officials determined the 4,500-watt electric motorcycle, lacking pedals, did not qualify as an electric bicycle under Florida law.
Under Florida Statute 316.03, electric bicycles must have operable pedals and motors under 750 watts. Cade's vehicle, classified as a motorcycle, required registration and other permits. As he lacked a driver's license or identification, officers fingerprinted him for the unregistered vehicle citation under Florida Statute 320.02, and subsequently towed his bike.
Body-camera footage showed an officer informing Cade he would need to appear in court. His hearing was scheduled for September 29, indicating he would also miss a day of school.
