Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Menifee police use video, drones and school outreach to enforce new e‑bike ordinance
Summary
Menifee enacted an ordinance to regulate e‑bikes with fines up to $500 and helmet rules; Police Chief Chris Carr said officers use video evidence, school partnerships and a drone program to identify repeat offenders and may administratively cite parents and impound bikes.
Menifee has adopted an ordinance to regulate e‑bikes, with possible citations and helmet requirements, and the police department has leaned on video evidence, school outreach and a drone program to identify and address unsafe riding, Chief Chris Carr said.
At the town hall, Acting Mayor Bob Carwin said the council “did just recently pass an ordinance that allows us to enforce e bikes, with possible citations up to $500 depending on the level and speed of e bike that it is.” He added that licensing or plates would be a state-level Department of Motor Vehicles issue.
Chief Chris Carr described how the department is enforcing the rule set: “We are capturing everything on video. We're working with the schools to identify who these students are and then following up with them and their parents,” he said. The department has used traffic stops when safe to do so and said it will impound offending bikes and keep them for 30 days. “Our ordinance does allow for us to administratively cite the parents as well,” Carr added.
Carr said officers prioritize safety and sometimes forgo vehicle stops because groups of riders can scatter into neighborhoods, creating hazards. The department also said it has worked with homeowners associations and PTAs on education and prevention.
There were no new changes to state licensing rules announced at the meeting. City officials urged residents to report dangerous riding to law enforcement and to engage with schools and neighborhood organizations on education efforts.
