The following is from the Clayton Police Department:
Over the last year, the Clayton Police Department has noticed a significant increase in the number of E-Bikes, motorized E-Scooters, and Electric off-highway motorcycles (dirt bike) operating in the City, the parks and on the trail system. After speaking with many of our law enforcement partners, we’ve learned that the proliferation of these vehicles is not isolated to Clayton. Many cities, throughout California, are dealing with the same issue and have experienced significant injury collisions and fatalities. Some of these vehicles, classified as E-Bicycles are street legal and only have the same requirements as pedal bicycles. However, some vehicles sold as E-Bikes, (brands like Surron and Talaria), are actually classified as motorcycles. These require off-highway registration, insurance and a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement to operate legally and can only be operated in legal off-highway vehicle areas. Since June of 2024, the Clayton Police Department has made efforts to educate riders, parents and the public through hand-outs, social media posts and the schools. Despite these efforts, there has been a steady increase in the number of these vehicles, which has led to an increase in traffic complaints. These include riders traveling at unsafe speeds on trails, riding in parks and riding in and out of the street with no regard for other vehicles. In some circumstances, operators of E-Motorcycles have attempted to evade police contact. Clayton is a wonderful community, and we want to ensure our trails, parks and roadways stay safe for everyone. We don’t want Clayton to be added to the list of communities with an injury collision or fatality because of an E-Bike or E-Motorcycle being operated unsafely. Starting April 14, 2025, the Clayton Police Department, working in partnership with our local schools, will conduct a formal month-long educational campaign to make riders, parents and owners aware of the restrictions and responsibilities that come with the operation of these types of E-Vehicles. Warning citations may be issued to all observed violations. Beginning May 12, 2025, in the interest of public safety, the Clayton Police Department will enter into a maximum citation enforcement period on E-Motorcycles, E-Scooters and E-Bikes in accordance with the California Vehicle Code and the Clayton Municipal Code. Riders/Operators may be ticketed, arrested or have their vehicle impounded. Parents/Owners could potentially be ticketed or, in some cases, charged with more serious crimes under the California Vehicle Code and the Penal Code. The purpose of this education and enforcement is to ensure public safety and prevent the type of tragedy that has befallen other communities. In addition to the California Vehicle Code, the following Clayton Municipal Codes apply:
10.56.200 – Riding in Parks/Playgrounds & Schools
10.56.140 – Passengers
10.56.160 – Racing prohibited
10.56.170 – Trick riding
10.58.020 – Skateboards and similar devices
11.04.200 – Vehicles in parks
If you have questions or concerns about E-Scooters, E-Bikes, or E-Motorcycles education and enforcement, please contact Traffic Officer Mitch Stroski – (Mitchell.stroski@claytoncapolice.gov / 925-673-7350).
Some friends got e-bikes so I asked them if they had a license for them. They didn’t but I did look it up and it is apparently $18 from DMV for a plate to put on the bike.
Those licenses aren’t required for anything and are useless.
Riding a skateboard in clayton earns you a ticket ?
City council meeting might get entertaining.
I was given a ticket in 2007 by officer McNamara for riding a skateboard on the street in front of my house. I was 13 years old and my mother had to retrieve the skateboard from the police office because he confiscated it from me. Sadly it’s a thing
Arrested?. Then what
imho – the biggest problem with them are off road on trails … or more accurately when they are blazing their own trails ripping up the turf and scaring hikers …. LE going to chase them?
They ride on the sidewalk and even go the wrong direction..better start ticketing them before i start pushing them off their bikes ,not gently.
They say kids don’t go outside as much as we did well they can’t with police enforcing these laws ! Go catch the real criminals
Kids on these e-bikes don’t appreciate the danger that they are putting themselves, pedestrians and motorists in. Good for Clayton PD and their initiative to educate the kids and their parents.
So…. I would like to have a definition of this (10.56.200 – Riding in Parks/Playgrounds & Schools) my wife and I ride e-bikes and use the trail along side concord blvd as well as the one that crosses Regency heading to Morgan territory. This seems reactionary to the thought of some off road park where things are wild.
I’m sure this is directed more at the people riding carelessly.
i also ride E bike. Frequent Diablo, Lime ridge, Shell Ridge.
I use the same rules as when riding on my Ano bike.
if I see hikers, runners, dog walkers ets, I give them all the room possible. I do believe having a bell and using it to let other trail users know I’m coming up on them is very effective. In fact I’ve had many trail user thank me for sounding or alerting them of my presence.
thins all just good trail etiquette.
ill be the first to admit that not all of us bike riders that use the trail systems available to us have the same etiquette.
these younger kids need to understand that ripping up a single track trail or down it isn’t ok.
also traveling at unsafe speeds on the golf course trail isn’t ok either. I have no problems with them using those trails. Just bring it down a couple notches….
you and your wife enjoy your E bikes and ride safe😉
Agreed my friend, we are on the same page.
I love that this, of all the things is what needs maximum enforcement. Is this the best use of my tax dollars? The only reason these exist is because you said my gas powered dirt bike was the devil.
Reap what you sow.
Side note, I’m not even allowed to register mine as an off-road vehicle in the state of California because the DMV can’t process the 16 digit VIN.
See you on the trails if you can catch me!
I’m pro-law enforcement.. yet, this is just plain dumb. This is why people might want to defund the police. SERIOUSLY, they have nothing else to do than fine e-bike riders. Come on! Help other agencies with theft, rape, murders, etc. E-bike enforcement? Come on!
There are several of these bikes being ridden around the interior pedestrian areas of Broadway Plaza by a bunch of youngsters.
My son and I were on the canal trail this past weekend going about 8-10 mph on our non-motorized bikes.
We had a teenager that blew past us on an e-bike going at least 20-30mph.
Lots of people on that trail when the weather is good, accident just waiting to happen…
The variation of what is defined as an e-bike is wild. I’ve seen some versions that add a little bit of juice when people pedal and others that are basically electric dirt bikes made in China with kids 11 years old riding around at 30 mph. As a state CA has really wrapped itself up in these because they are “green” but some kids are going to pay the price.
Good. I saw what looked like freaking 10 years olds driving them down the road, no helmets, with cars the other day. Blew through a stop sign by our house without checking across traffic.
Seems to me the problem is the controversial, accusatory way the headline verbalizes it.
How about some thing more like —
‘Clayton police are heightening their awareness of e-bike dangers. Enforcement could result in mandatory attendance to a e-bike safety class.
Persistent violators could be at risk for having their bike temporarily impounded….
They are offering free practical and informative classes for anyone interested, to enhance your
safety and enjoyment of riding’