Are teens on e-motorbikes the ‘new Hells Angels’? Not so fast, boomers

Key Points:

• The rise of illegally modified electric two-wheeled vehicles like e-motorcycles and e-scooters, especially in California, has led to dangerous riding behaviors, crashes, and government crackdowns targeting both riders and parents who enable their use.
• Many of these vehicles exceed federal ebike regulations on speed and power, creating a "legal gray area" that complicates enforcement and risks undermining the legitimate ebike market and its environmental and commuting benefits.
• Online retailers often market these illegal high-speed e-motos as ebikes, making it difficult for consumers, especially parents, to distinguish safe, legal options from hazardous ones, prompting calls for stricter advertising restrictions and better public education.
• While ebike injuries have increased, data shows that most fatal crashes involving ebike riders also involve automobiles, highlighting broader systemic issues with traffic safety and the dangers posed by larger motor vehicles on US roads.
• Advocates argue that rather than restricting ebike use, authorities should focus on redesigning streets to protect vulnerable road users and address the root causes of traffic violence, rather than blaming youth for risky behavior on electric vehicles.