KOTA TINGGI: Seven primary schoolboys and three secondary schoolboys were detained yesterday for riding mosquito bikes in an unsafe manner.
The 10 boys were picked up by police during a raid at Taman Kota Jaya 2 here at around 5pm.
Kota Tinggi district police chief Superintendent Ashmon Bajah said the children were spotted riding in the area by police, who then trailed them from afar before nabbing them on the spot.
"The group of 10 mosquito bike riders were joined by 12 other children.
“Following inspection, the 12 children were spared from being taken to the station, as their bicycles had not been tampered with or modified for mosquito bike racing," he said.
Ashmon said police believe the mosquito bike riders all come from Taman Kota Jaya 2, which is a residential neighbourhood.
"(The boys’) parents were called to the station and given a reminder to keep their children from engaging in illegal mosquito bike activity," he said.
Ashmon said 10 traffic summonses were issued to the boys for riding bicycles lacking brakes and bells.
Anyone caught riding an illegally-modified bicycle, which, upon inspection by police is deemed unsafe, has committed an offence under Section 112 (3) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Those convicted of the offence can be fined up to RM2,000 and imprisoned for up to six months.