South Bay Police Cracks Down On E-Bike Riders Over Safety Concerns

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Multiple South Bay police departments teamed up Tuesday to crack down on electric bicycle riders, citing safety concerns over conduct, according to authorities.

The El Segundo, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach police departments teamed up Tuesday to conduct "high visibility enforcement."

Police cited or warned e-bike riders who were not stopping at stop signs, not wearing helmets or operating unlawful types of bicycles, according to the El Segundo Police Department.

"We’re here to keep our streets safe for everyone," the El Segundo Police Department said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "Whether you’re walking, driving, or riding. Let’s look out for each other and keep our community rolling safely."

E-bikes are bicycles powered by electricity. They're divided into three classes:

• Class 1: Pedal-assisted and max out at 20 miles per hour.
• Class 2: Throttle-assisted and max out at 20 miles per hour.
• Class 3: Pedal-assisted and reach nearly 30 miles per hour.

The first two classes have no minimum age requirements, but riders under 17 years old just wear a helmet. They're also allowed to travel along bike paths, bike lanes and roadways.

Class 3, however, requires a helmet at all times, and riders must be at least 16 years old. They're also not allowed to ride on bike paths, according to authorities.

In addition to the enforcement announcement, police also issued the following safety reminders to cyclists:

• Always ride with the flow of traffic
• Use signals for turns or to show intentions
• Don't ride on sidewalks
• Traffic lights and rules of the road also apply to cyclists
• License plates or a driver's license are not required for cyclists on electric bicycles.