E-bike-riding teens terrorize Orange County

Driving near an elementary school in Newport Beach, Daryl Deino had rocks thrown at his vehicle by a group of speeding teens on e-bikes.

Dashcam footage from Burbank resident Daryl Deino captured the incident, which occurred in front of Mariner Elementary School on 14/8. He filed a complaint with the Newport Beach Police Department in Orange County and posted the video on social media to express his frustration with the group.

"I've reported to the police about kids on e-bikes creating dangerous traffic situations, but they don't seem to care," Deino said. "Some of the accidents this summer could have been avoided if parents taught their kids better. Something needs to be done before it's too late."

Commenting on Deino's post, one couple shared a similar experience. A few weeks prior, they were cycling on the Santa Ana River Trail when a group of teens on e-bikes blocked their path.

"They slammed on their brakes, popped wheelies, and kicked dirt at us," the wife recounted. "For a few seconds, I was terrified because there were 5 to 7 of them. They were just looking for trouble, making obscene gestures, and shouting racial slurs before riding off. I thought about calling the police but I didn't get a video. Thank you for speaking out."

"I've encountered them in Orange County too," another user commented. "These kids are reckless, riding their e-bikes like they own the road. One day they might mess with the wrong person and regret it. People have been killed for less."

A group of teenagers on e-bikes threw rocks at Deino's car in Newport Beach, Orange County on 14/8. Video: Reddit/Daryl Deino

E-bikes and electric scooters have exploded in popularity in the US since the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people turned to e-bikes as a form of safe recreation and socializing during stay-at-home orders. Between 2019 and 2020, US sales of two-wheeled e-bikes increased by 145%.

Supermarkets and bike shops across California now sell a wide variety of e-bikes. This surge in e-bike usage has prompted authorities in Orange County to implement management measures, following complaints about teens exceeding speed limits and causing accidents.

In some areas, children have learned how to "unlock" e-bike software to increase speeds using instructional videos on YouTube. Many have called this a "public safety hazard." According to Voice of OC, this is especially prevalent in coastal towns and the southern region of Orange County.

On 22/3, the Lake Forest Police Department in Orange County (OCSD) received three calls reporting a group of teens on e-bikes blocking traffic and throwing water balloons at moving vehicles, including a patrol car, along Portola Parkway, from Towne Center to Saddleback Parkway.

Each time officers arrived, the group scattered and fled in different directions. On the third call, a police helicopter spotted a teen attempting to hide. Police reported that the teen made an obscene gesture at them before fleeing on his e-bike.

The boy was riding a dirt bike, which is prohibited on city streets. Police confiscated the bike and released the boy to his parents.

Children ride dirt bikes in Mill Valley on 5/8. Photo: KQED

"These behaviors are becoming a serious concern," the OCSD warned in a statement. "An increasing number of e-bike and scooter riders are ignoring traffic laws and not wearing protective gear. Parents need to do their research and be aware of what they are buying for their children. The safety of your children and others is at risk."

Over 50% of cities in Orange County have passed some form of e-bike regulation. California Governor Gavin Newsom also recently signed new legislation to regulate these vehicles.

These regulations prevent riders from purchasing products that can be used to "unlock" e-bike speeds and require owners to install rear red lights or reflectors for increased visibility.

The Yorba Linda City Council has set e-bike speed limits at 16 km/h on trails and 40 km/h on city streets. They have also prohibited operating e-bikes under the influence of alcohol, mandated helmets for riders under the age of 18, and banned wheelies for this age group.

Mayor Janice Lim noted that the next step may be to impose age restrictions on e-bike riders, similar to Oregon's ban on riders under 16. "The problem is the behavior. It's the parents' and guardians' responsibility," Lim stated.

Some residents are calling for stricter measures. "Kids are very reckless on e-bikes," one resident said. "They're just as dangerous as motorcycles, so why don't they require a license like motorcycles?"