AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 14-year-old boy has died following an e-moto crash Friday, the Lago Vista Police Department said in a social media post.
The crash happened near Outpost Trace and Thunderbird Street. Lago Vista Police said the boy was riding an e-moto with friends, while not wearing a safety helmet, when he lost control and crashed.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The post said e-bike and e-moto safety has been an ongoing concern for Lago Vista police.
APD cracking down
Austin Police are tightening enforcement and education when it comes to high-powered electric vehicles, specifically electric motorcycles.
Known as “e-motos,” the vehicles are often indistinguishable from e-bikes.
According to APD, an e-moto refers to any self-propelled device that is not classified as a moped, lacks operable pedals, has a 750-watt or higher motor, or can exceed 28 miles per hour.
E-bikes, on the other hand, have fully operable pedals, a motor less than 750 watts, and can only reach a peak of 28 mph.
After a review of state law and city code, Austin Police, Austin Transportation and Public Works, and the city attorney’s office found that e-motos are properly classified by the state as motor vehicles, officials said in an August memo.
That means riders must have a vehicle registration, insurance and an appropriate driver’s license.