Orange County prosecutors are cracking down on illegal e-bikes and e-motorcycles, saying that parents could also face charges if their children are caught riding them.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, District Attorney Todd Spitzer launched a new prosecution unit called RIDE SAFELY. The goal is to create accountability for kids and adults who ride e-bikes and e-motorcycles, but it also goes after those who break the law while riding one of the popular 2-wheelers.<\/p>\n
The program will review all potential criminal charges, including for parents who let their children ride illegal e-motorcycles.<\/p>\n
An arraignment was postponed for the mother of a teenage boy accused of fatally hitting an 81-year-old man while illegally riding an e-motorcycle.<\/p>\n
Injuries attributed to e-bikes and e-motorcycles have spiked more than 400% in the last four years in Southern California, according the D.A.’s office.<\/p>\n
The Orange County program was launched the same day Huntington Beach police hosted an e-bike symposium, hoping to come up with solutions to the growing challenges surrounding the popular vehicles.<\/p>\n
“Todd Spitzer’s office did a phenomenal job holding his parents accountable because when the parents are starting to be held accountable, who are really buying these devices for the kids that can’t afford to buy them in the first place, really the (accountability) lies with the parents,” said Sgt. Mikes Thomas.<\/p>\n
Since January, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against three parents for allowing their kids to ride illegal e-motorcycles.<\/p>\n