By Mary O’KEEFE

The Glendale Police Dept. – Traffic Bureau is continuing to respond to the many complaints of individuals on electric bikes/motorcycles. 

An electric bike (e-bike) is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor and battery. The e-bikes are categorized into three levels: Class 1 and Class 2 have speeds that have a maximum of 20 mph; Class 3 are e-bikes that can reach speeds up to 28 mph. 

E-motorcycles [e-motors] can reach speeds of 68 to 70 mph. These mini e-motors are not street legal; they are intended for private property only.  

Helmets are required when riding an e-bike or e-motor. And the smaller e-motorcycles, similar to mini-bike or dirt bikes, are not street legal. 

Readers have contacted, and continue to contact, CVW with concerns about the growing number of e-bikes/e-motorcycles that individuals drive in parks, on streets and, sometimes, on sidewalks.

GPD has been working on a Public Service Announcement (PSA) regarding the issue..

“We are working on an information brochure which will be available in different languages,” said Lt. Steve Corrigan. 

As of press time, GPD does not have any in-person outreach planned.

“Our Traffic Bureau is considering different options to maximize reach for everyone,” he said. 

In the past, GPD Traffic Bureau has impounded e-motors and cited riders, who were juveniles. GPD continues to cite drivers who are not following e-bike traffic laws. 

The current brochure is available at the GPD website at https://tinyurl.com/yebnb6sn.