May 22, 2025 – The Clovis Police Department (PD) is launching a bike safety awareness campaign this month, with a significant emphasis on educating the public, particularly parents, about the crucial differences between electric bicycles (e-bikes) and electric motorcycles (e-motorcycles). This initiative comes in response to a growing number of incidents involving e-motorcycles being operated dangerously and illegally within Clovis neighborhoods.
Officer Jason M. Gilles, a traffic officer with the Clovis PD, expressed his concern during a recent interview, stating, “We’ve been seeing an influx of a lot of incidents involving e-motorcycles… with people that are out reckless driving on them in neighborhoods.” He highlighted the frustration stemming from a “lack of knowledge on the part of people who are buying motorcycles,” often mistaking them for e-bikes.
This confusion is leading to situations where parents unknowingly purchase high-speed electric motorcycles for their children, believing they are simply buying an e-bike. The consequences can be significant, as these e-motorcycles are subject to the same laws and regulations as traditional motorcycles, requiring a motorcycle license (M1), DOT-approved helmets, registration, and insurance to be operated legally on public roads. Without these, riders face potential citations and the impounding of their vehicles.
Ty Wood of the Clovis PD chimed in, noting that this issue isn’t isolated to Clovis. “Information from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and California agencies all up and down… they are having the same issue.” This widespread concern underscores the urgent need for public education.
One of the key areas of focus for the Clovis PD is clarifying the distinct characteristics of e-bikes versus e-motorcycles. Officer Gilles explained that true e-bikes, classified as Class 1, 2, and 3, have operational pedals and limited top speeds. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes max out at 20 miles per hour, while Class 3 can reach 28 mph but only with the rider pedaling. In contrast, e-motorcycles often lack functional pedals and can achieve speeds ranging from 50 to 70 miles per hour, making them akin to dirt bikes.
“Base models on these electric motorcycles… can go anywhere from 50 miles an hour to 70 miles an hour. So they’re not a bicycle. They are a straight up dirt bike,” Officer Gilles emphasized. He also pointed out the misleading marketing by some manufacturers, using names that imply “bike” without clearly indicating they are selling a motorcycle.
A critical piece of information shared by Officer Gilles is that off-road motorcycles, as they are often manufactured, cannot be legally converted for street use in California. This means that parents who purchase these e-motorcycles with the intention of making them street legal for their children will likely find it impossible.
The Clovis PD has observed a concentration of these incidents in the “east side of Clovis and the north end, Buchanan area, Clovis East, Clovis High, Harlan Ranch.” The majority of riders involved are young individuals, often without the necessary licenses or safety equipment, creating a dangerous situation for themselves and the public. Officer Gilles recounted a recent incident where a rider on an e-motorcycle reached speeds of 70 mph, and another where an individual performing wheelies ran from a police officer.
To combat this issue, the Clovis PD is actively engaging with media outlets to disseminate clear and concise information. The goal is to educate parents before enforcement actions become necessary, preventing situations where they are surprised by citations and vehicle impoundments.
When asked for advice to parents, Officer Gilles urged them to “really research the product and become familiar with what it truly is, and what the laws are surrounding that.” He stressed the importance of looking beyond the “e-bike” label and examining key features such as the presence of operative pedals and the maximum speed of the vehicle.
The Clovis Police Department’s proactive approach underscores the seriousness of the safety concerns surrounding the increasing popularity of e-bikes and, more critically, the misuse of high-speed electric motorcycles. By focusing on education and clear communication, they aim to ensure the safety of all road users and prevent potential injuries or fatalities. As Officer Gilles poignantly put it, when speaking about the dangers of collisions and the possibilities of something horrible happening, “The last thing that I want… is to show up to a young man or young woman who was riding down the sidewalk at 50 miles an hour (after a collision)… because they think it’s just a regular bicycle when it could have been avoided.”