A 15-year-old boy was stopped after his makeshift e-bike was deemed unsafe for the road in Gympie, Queensland. Source: Queensland Police

Police have issued a stark warning to Aussie teens and their parents after a 15-year-old boy was charged following the discovery of a "dangerous" modified BMX frame.

It comes as authorities around the country are ramping up efforts to tackle illegal e-bike use and modification and on July 15 police in Gympie, Queensland, intercepted the teen allegedly driving a homemade motorbike.

Police allege the motorbike had been created by modifying a BMX bike frame to remove pedals and add electric motors controlled by a throttle, with duct tape holding much of it together. The modifications meant the device was deemed a motorbike without indicators, lights, reflectors, a bell or brakes.

“A powerful bike in the hands of an unlicenced and inexperienced driver is extremely dangerous to not only the rider, but also the other road users,” Inspector Shane Draper said, explaining that the vehicle requires registration, insurance and a driver's licence.

To be considered an e-bike and to be legally used on public roads and footpaths, pedals must be the primary source of power, the maximum continuous motor output must be 250 watts or less, and the motor must only provide assistance of up to 25 kilometres per hour.

The teenager was issued a notice to appear in Gympie Children's Court on August 14 and was charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle without a driver's licence, driving an unregistered vehicle on the road, and driving an uninsured vehicle.

"Beyond enforcement, police are committed to educating the community about the dos and don’ts regarding e-bikes to ensure they’re empowered to make smart decisions on the road," Inspector Draper said.

Parents urged to get involved to reduce dangerous e-bike usage

Inspector Draper also urged parents to get involved with e-bike awareness, identifying their key role in helping to reduce the number of youngsters turning to dangerous e-bike use.

"I especially urge parents to be familiar with the regulations and road rules regarding e-bikes and to work with their child to understand and respect those rules," he said. "This is all aimed at reducing the significant road trauma, fatalities and life-changing injuries we have seen from the use of the e-bikes."

Concerns continue to mount as youngsters turn to e-bikes

There have been a number of incidents involving teenagers unsafely driving e-bikes, like the incident in Sydney where shocking footage was captured of "about 30" teens riding alongside cars travelling 70 kilometres per hour, with one rider spotted filming on his phone while riding one-handed. Last week, a 17-year-old boy was charged with manslaughter after a woman was killed by an out-of-control e-bike in Perth's north.

Teenage boys were seen filming themselves as they drove alongside cars in a Sydney tunnel recently. Source: Facebook/Jennaya Lee

New South Wales is proposing to launch a new program targeting school children to promote safe e-bike use and could commence in some schools as early as mid-September.

"[The trial] focuses on a number of the basic rules for bicycle users, but also on etiquette and respect," Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW, previously told Yahoo. "It also includes helpful knowledge around bicycle security and equipment."

This article originally appeared on Yahoo News Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussies-warned-as-dangerous-discovery-on-road-hints-at-growing-issue-020123060.html