Overview
- Orange County’s district attorney launched the RIDE SAFELY prosecution unit on Wednesday to review illegal e-bike and e-motorcycle cases, including cases against parents who let children ride outlaw machines.
- Amazon is removing California listings for electric two-wheelers that exceed state speed or power limits, according to local prosecutors pressing major retailers to follow state rules.
- Prosecutors report injuries tied to these vehicles rose about 430% in Southern California over four years, with more than 100 deaths nationwide attributed to e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
- Since January, Orange County has filed child endangerment cases against multiple parents and charged a mother with involuntary manslaughter after her 14-year-old allegedly killed an 81-year-old while riding an illegal e-motorcycle.
- Under California law, devices that top 20 mph by throttle or 28 mph with pedal assist, exceed 750 watts, or lack operable pedals are treated as motorcycles that require registration, licensing, helmets and a 16+ minimum, and a statewide symposium in Huntington Beach urged education and new legislation alongside enforcement.