People on Social Media are up in arms because an 11 year old kid has been arrested and charged for riding an electric motorcycle (he called it an ‘electric bike’) to the pond down the street to go fishing.
Here is a link to the actual news story about the case. In the recording of that court appearance, Cade can be heard saying he knew his e-bike was actually a motorcycle. Police said the motorbike was capable of traveling 50 MPH and was powered by a 4,500-watt motor. It was likely this one.
After the hearing, Cade’s father, Chris Kirchner, commented on the court appearance.
“How ridiculous that he had to miss school for that,” Chris Kirchner said.
I have a different take from my own personal experience: Jacob was just 12 years old when he was struck by a car while riding his bike on a dark country road 30 years ago. When I found him unconscious and covered in his own blood on the side of the road, I ran my hands down his back to check for injuries and the fingers of my right hand sunk into his lower back. His entire back was ripped open by that hit and run driver. He died right there on the side of the road, not 40 feet from the bike he had been riding.
As a paramedic who has seen this play out time and time again, I think this child has no business riding a motorcycle on the road, whether it is 300 feet or 300 miles. The roads are a dangerous place, and an 11 year old child doesn’t belong there. Not only should he be charged for riding it, the parents should be charged for letting him buy and ride a motorcycle.
Those cops may very well have saved his life. I’ve seen comments where people say something like “Maybe he should get a Glock with a switch,” or “Why aren’t the cops out there catching REAL criminals?” Like it or not, this IS a real crime, and it’s one that is intended to save lives. According to the National Institutes of Health, auto accidents are the leading cause of death in children and adolescents.
Then the lilbertarians showed up.
everyone should be allowed to drive around with no tags dl or insurance. unless there’s a valid reason to stop them. I don’t view cars and motorcycles any differently than I view bicycles or horses, neither of which need those things (in most places).
Completely ignoring the fact that this is an 11 year old child.
5 Comments
Barefoot Peckerwood · October 2, 2026 at 6:57 am
You know how many times I ride a dirt bike to go fishing, visit cousins/friends and pick shit up for my parents? All within a 15 mile radius. He’ll, 1 time my bike was broke dow and I took the riding lawnmower 4 miles into town..
COUNTLESS..
You sound like a screeching boomer in this post DM. Normally, I agree with 90% of your views, but you sound ridiculous on this one.
Divemedic · October 2, 2026 at 7:39 am
Are you 11 years old? No? Then this isnt comparable.
Come talk to me after you’ve held a dead kid.
James · October 2, 2026 at 7:32 am
I see no victimn,thus,I see no crime.
With that said,do feel depending on the bike and it’s capabilities perhaps not a smart choice for the kid,but,parents know child better then me.
At that age many of us had dirt bikes,we all survived even with their capabilities which far exceded this machine presented.
Divemedic · October 2, 2026 at 7:40 am
Ridden it in the street?
J J · October 2, 2026 at 7:39 am
Is it normal in Florida for juveniles to be fingerprinted on the side of the road for a traffic violation?
Now the kid’s prints are in the system for the rest of his life.
No, he shouldn’t have been riding a dirt bike on the streets. But Officer Karen should have taken him home and scolded his parents for allowing their child to operate his motorbike on the street.