Cities across California, like Santa Monica, are starting to crack down on some electric bikes. The main reason for this is that many of these bikes aren’t actually considered “e-bikes” under state law.

The police in Santa Monica are looking closely at the details of these bikes. For example, some of them don’t have pedals and can have the ability to go much faster than the California legal speed limit of 28 mph for an e-bike. Because of this, they’re being classified as off-highway vehicles. This is a big deal because it means they’re not allowed on regular streets or bike paths.

This push by police is a direct response to a lot of complaints from the community. People are worried about safety and the disruption these high-speed vehicles are causing and this is a very legitimate concern. When there are enough complaints and safety concerns, it’s normal for law enforcement to get involved. The Santa Monica Police Department is now handing out fines and taking the bikes away from their owners.

This situation is a good reminder for everyone to know the rules. What might seem like a small difference in the type of bike you have can lead to real problems, like fines and losing your vehicle. These e-bikes are silent in many cases and frequently the riders are wearing headsets and listening to music while they ride. If they collide with an adult or a child the injuries they cause could be serious. As more of these bikes show up, we’ll likely see similar crackdowns in other cities to keep our roads and paths safe for everyone.

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