BENDIGO police are warning unlicensed drivers to ditch their electric scooters or motorised bicycles or risk hefty fines.Sergeant Geoff Annand of the Bendigo Traffic Management Unit said motorised bicycles with engines of more than 200 watts were classified as motorcycles, which meant people needed a valid driver’s licence to be able to ride them.However, he said people were buying 200 watt motorised bicycles and riding them at speeds up to 30kmh or more without pedalling. “A lot of disqualified drivers and drink-drivers are using them to get around the law,” Sergeant Annand said.The warning comes after a Kangaroo Flat woman was convicted and sentenced to one month behind bars for driving an unregistered motorised scooter and not wearing a helmet.The 40-year-old woman, who pleaded guilty to the charges in the Bendigo Magistrates Court earlier this month, was also a disqualified driver.Sergeant Annand said the issue was that the woman had removed the bike’s pedals.“The issue that we have around Bendigo is that people are buying bicycles with 200 watt motors and they are riding them without pedalling,” he said.“A case law in NSW found that if you’re not pedalling and relying solely on the motor it becomes a motorbike.”Sergeant Annand said anyone wanting to go out and buy an electric scooter or bike should consider a “true auxiliary motor” which means the motor only powers the bike when you pedal.For more information about the laws contact the Bendigo police on 5448 1300 or your local police station.