Temecula officials warn of rising e‑bike and e‑motorcycle dangers, push education and enforcement

Temecula city police on Tuesday told the City Council they are seeing a growing wave of powerful e‑bikes and electric motorcycles operated by juveniles in ways that endanger riders and the public, and asked for more parental involvement, education and stronger local enforcement.

Chief Kevin Regali told the council that recorded video from the city’s camera system and recent collision reports show a rapid uptick in dangerous riding by youths using both electric motorcycles and modified e‑bikes. Lieutenant Vic Pearson showed multiple short surveillance clips in Old Town Temecula and elsewhere, and explained that some group rides — described by officers as “brainless meetups” or “bridal outs” in social posts — draw 30 to 50 riders who split lanes, run stop signs and sometimes flee from deputies.

The police presentation stressed three tracks the city and sheriff’s office are pursuing: public education and outreach, municipal code and enforcement work, and infrastructure improvements aimed at safer riding. Regali and Pearson said education so far has included press releases, an e‑blast from the city manager, social posts, a public class attended by about 50 parents and children earlier this month, and coordination with the Temecula Valley Unified School District for targeted student safety training.

“First, we want voluntary compliance,” Pearson said. “We’re teaching, we’re partnering with schools and bike shops. When that fails, enforcement has to occur. Ignorance or blatant disregard of the laws cannot be tolerated.”

The presentation identified types of machines involved — including electric motorcycles, higher‑power models with top speeds the officers said can exceed 40–60 mph, and some gas dirt bikes — and noted that many machines are modified to run faster. Pearson and Regali pointed to state vehicle classifications that can impose helmet, licensing, and age rules depending on whether the device is a class 1–3 e‑bike, a moped/motorized bicycle, or an electric motorcycle.

Officers described recent local collisions involving juveniles, including one the chief said occurred the previous night that required hospital transport, and referenced at least one fatality in a neighboring city. Regali noted potential legal exposure for parents in extreme cases, citing Penal Code section 273a (child endangerment) as a statute investigators may consider depending on circumstances such as rider age, supervision and machine modifications.

Council members thanked police for the videos and urged swift action. Councilmember Schwenk, who described personally witnessing the December 28 Old Town group, said the problem may require legislative action to give cities more tools. Councilmember Stewart said many machines are easy to modify and called them “lethal” when put in the hands of minors. Several council members asked whether the city can work with local vendors and bike shops to ensure customers are informed about legality and safety.

City staff said they are evaluating amendments to local ordinances where feasible and will review model ordinances from other Southern California beach cities. The city and Riverside County sheriff’s deputies have authority to cite or tow noncompliant machines when the machine’s classification or the rider’s lack of license justifies enforcement, staff said.

Police reiterated that enforcement will follow education efforts. Pearson asked parents to know what model they buy for their children, to check whether it is street legal, and to monitor social media for invitations to large informal rides.

Next steps discussed: continue and expand in‑person training (city/sheriff/TVUSD joint classes), add targeted outreach to bike retailers and rental businesses, evaluate municipal code updates to improve enforceability, use city cameras and patrols to identify repeat offenders and tow unsafe vehicles when allowed, and identify infrastructure improvements such as protected bike lanes and trails that channel safe riding away from congested pedestrian areas.

City and sheriff staff said they would remain available for follow‑up questions and to present specific ordinance language and outreach plans at a future council meeting.