Community
Approved by: Captain James Sullivan
E-Bike Safety Operation
| Nature of Incident: | E-Bike Safety Operation | ||
| Location: | Thousand Oaks, Ca. | ||
| Date & Time: | July 1, 2025 (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM) | ||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Thousand Oaks Police Department – Traffic Bureau and Directed Enforcement Unit |
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| Narrative: |
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| The Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Traffic Bureau has fielded numerous calls for service about juveniles on e-bikes, scooters, and electric motorcycles. Complaints such as not obeying the rules of the road, recklessness, riding with disregard for others, and damaging property can be a source of frustration and concern for the public. The Thousand Oaks Traffic Bureau has also seen an increase in traffic collisions involving our youth on these types of vehicles. On July 1st, 2025, Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Traffic Bureau along with deputies assigned to our Directed Enforcement Unit conducted an operation focused on e-bike safety. Approximately 25 juveniles, who were riding e-bikes, scooters and electric motorcycles, in different areas of the city, were contacted. Specifically, 3 juveniles who were riding “Surron” electric motorcycles were cited for various traffic related violations. The Surrons were towed and are pending proper DMV registration prior to being released to their owners. This operation and several others like it over the past 3 months have yielded many positive contacts with our youth and provided an opportunity for us to educate them on safe and proper use of e-bikes. In the past few months, these operations have also yielded 11 citations, and several electric and gas-powered motorcycles have been towed. The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to take this opportunity to address the growing interest in the use of e-bikes, scooters and electric motorcycles in our community. These types of vehicles can be useful in reducing traffic congestion and provide our youth with an alternative means of transportation to school and other activities. However, the higher speeds of e-bikes, scooters, and electric motorcycles demand greater caution when using them. It is essential to always follow traffic regulations and wear helmets. As a reminder, electric motorcycles made by Surron, Talaria, and Segway are prohibited from being ridden on public roads, sidewalks, or at parks. These types of electric motorcycles are for off-road use only and are subject to being towed and/or impounded if operated on public roads, sidewalks, or parks. The rider can also be subject to citation and/or arrest. The Thousand Oaks Police Department continues to focus on education but will also enforce traffic related violations associated with electric motorcycles and their unlawful use. Our goal is to reduce traffic collisions, ensure safe operation, and prevent injuries, while protecting the youth in our communities. The link below will provide you with guidance on the different types of e-bikes and their operation on the roadways. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/motorcycle-handbook/two-wheel-vehicle-operation/ |
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| Prepared by: | Sr. Deputy Andres Trujillo | ||
| News Release Date: | July 2, 2025 | ||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Sr. Deputy Andres Trujillo Office: (805) 494-8275 [email protected] |
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511