PSA - To all Parents of E-bike riders

Posted on 06/25/2026

Does your child ride an E-bike on the streets or in the parks within the community? Do they know the rules, regulations, and laws? - - - Do you?

"We know that our children would never do something like this."

This is a child's mistake that literally could impact their record and entire future. Consequences could also affect the family's financial security for a lifetime.

Short Video -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vskni4r6YxQ

Fleeing law enforcement on an e-bike, electric scooter, or e-motorcycle is a serious offense that can lead to felony evading charges, hefty citations, and vehicle impoundment. Because many "souped-up" e-bikes are legally classified as motorized vehicles, riders who evade capture can face severe criminal penalties, and their parents may be held legally and financially liable.

1. Criminal and Legal Consequences

Felony Evading: Evading a police officer is an immediate escalation from a minor traffic infraction to a severe criminal offense. In California and most other jurisdictions, fleeing on a motorized device can result in felony eluding or evading charges, which carry potential time in juvenile hall or state prison.
Extensive Citations: Riders who are ultimately caught face an extensive list of fines for multiple violations, such as riding in an unsafe manner, reckless driving, lacking a valid motorcycle license, driving without registration, operating without required safety equipment (e.g., helmet, mirrors), and disobeying traffic signs.
Juvenile & Parental Liability: For minors, these cases are pushed into the juvenile criminal justice system and cannot easily be moved to family court. Furthermore, parents or guardians can face misdemeanor or even felony charges for allowing an unlicensed, underage minor to operate a motorized vehicle.

2. Physical and Enforcement Hazards

Aggressive Tactics: Police forces frequently utilize tactics like helicopter surveillance or Drone First Responder (DFR) programs to track fleeing e-bike riders safely from above without needing a high-speed ground pursuit.
Impoundment: Fleeing typically results in the immediate towing and mandatory 30-day (or longer) impoundment of the e-bike.
Severe Injury: Fleeing at high speeds on bicycle trails, through traffic, or on pedestrian pathways carries immense risks of serious bodily injury or death, as e-bike riders lack the structural protection of a car.

3. Civil and Financial Damages

Civil Lawsuits: If a fleeing rider causes a collision, property damage, or injures a pedestrian or motorist, the rider—and their parents—can be held financially responsible in civil court.
Felony Charges for Parents: In tragic cases where an e-bike crash results in a fatality, prosecutors have filed felony charges, including involuntary manslaughter, against the parents for negligence and failing to supervise.

A Parent Guide for helping kids understand what is legal, what is not, and why it matters.

https://www.sylmarneighborhoodcouncil.org/assets/documents/13/committee6a3d917e24a2a.pdf

Educational Materials -

https://www.sylmarneighborhoodcouncil.org/page/viewNews/10387