Parents Warned by Lafayette Police After Youths Evading Police on E-Motorcycles

This week, the Lafayette Police Department say they gave parents a “talking to” after several juveniles evaded police while on e-motorcycles. The youths were eventually cited for being unlicensed drivers.

According to police, on May 28, 2026,  a Lafayette PD Officer attempted to stop and educate juveniles recklessly riding e-motorcycles (not street-legal) in the downtown area. In two different incidents, the juveniles refused to stop and sped away doing wheelies. Due to the public safety concerns, no pursuit was initiated. After reviewing the incident and speaking with witnesses, the officer identified all three juveniles.

The officer later met with the juveniles and their parents to discuss their riding behavior and to educate all parties that e-motorcycles are not street legal. The officer cited all three juveniles for CVC 12500(a) – Unlicensed Driver. The parents were admonished that if their child is caught riding these again, they could be cited for child endangerment.

In a post on social media, police highlighted two instances of the dangers of electric motorcycles.

Most recently, other cases involved parents being cited or charged.

• May 21, 2026 – Danville Police Highlight E-Motorcycle Enforcement Update – youth flee from police.
• May 16, 2026 – Orange County District Attorney Creates E-Bike/E-Motorcycle Prosecution Unit
• April 22, 2026 – Aliso Viejo Mother Charged with Felony Child Endangerment After Vietnam Veteran Critically Injured When He Was Hit
  by Woman’s 14-Year-old Son Illegally Riding an E-Motorcycle 16 Times More Powerful than E-Bike (DA Website)
• March 26, 2026 – Parents Charged with Child Abuse in e-Moto Crash in Walnut Creek

• Electric Bike vs. Electric Motorcycle (CA law)
• Class 1 E-Bike: pedal assist only, no throttle, max 20 mph
• Class 2 E-Bike: pedal assist plus throttle, max 20 mph
• Class 3 E-Bike: pedal assist only, max 28 mph (helmets required, no riders under 16)
• Maximum 750 Watts.

Electric Motorcycle: Anything exceeding these specs (no pedals, higher speeds) requires registration, insurance, and a motorcycle license for road use.