CORNELIUS, N.C. (WBTV) – They’re causing quite a stir on social media and in neighborhood groups: Kids and teens on illegal e-motorcycles driving dangerously throughout the Charlotte Metro area.
You may have seen them doing tricks and wheelies or swerving through traffic.
Local law enforcement agencies said they’re putting their foot down before someone gets hurt or killed.
At the entrance to the Greenway in Cornelius, you’ll see a sign explaining where e-bikes are and are not allowed in the town.
Police said they’re now dealing with kids and teens driving illegal e-motorcycles or dirt bikes, and it’s a risk to their safety and the safety of the community.
“They go way too fast, and they pull out into the roadway without looking at all. They just gas them and off they go into the traffic,” said Debra Setfano, a Cornelius resident.
“I’ve seen young kids just coming from like a trafficky, like high pedestrian area, and they’ll just like dart in front of cars. They’ll dart between cars. They’ll go on sidewalks,” said Davidson resident Christine Greco.
It’s not just in Davidson and Cornelius where groups of e-motorcycle riders are taking over the streets.
Law enforcement agencies in Waxhaw, other parts of Union County, and Gastonia are all warning parents and riders about the rules of the road.
“So the parents or the owner, whoever, knowingly allowed them to operate an electric vehicle or electric e-bike that is not legal, that’s who we’re citing,” said Cornelius Police Chief David Baucom.
He says legal and approved e-bikes are supposed to have pedals and don’t go faster than 20 miles an hour.
Chief Baucom says officers are seeing some riders as young as 12-years-old riding what is more of a dirt bike. and weaving in and out of traffic during peak travel times.
Chief Baucom says if you’re caught violating the town ordinance, it’s a fine and the bike gets taken. He also says in some cases the riders could face criminal charges.
“If the operators are riding recklessly, darting and out of traffic, riding wheelies and stuff like that, we’re also starting to charge some of them criminally if it’s bad enough,” he says. “It could be reckless driving. It could be failure to register a motor vehicle, no insurance, sort of the same things that would go along with a motorcycle that is not legal to be registered, but is being ridden.”
Cornelius is just one of the local towns that passed an ordinance to regulate e-bikes around town.
Chief Baucom said it comes down to parents keeping an eye on their kids.
“A lot of times the parents are just oblivious until we’re there, you know, and then they understand, and then they say, ‘I’m going to make sure this doesn’t happen again,’” Chief Baucom said. “Then two weeks later, we’re dealing with their child again.”
He said he’d like to see a law at the state level to classify and regulate the different types of bikes, and neighbors agree.
“I think it’s a wake-up call for parents, especially when you’re giving a child a bike like this,” Greco said. “You’re also saying you have a lot more power on the road, and it’s kind of like a car and you’re exposed. You know, and you’re out there and you can hurt somebody.”
“I think it’s kids being kids, but just because of that, we need legal ramifications,” said Stefano.
Everyone is encouraged to check their city or town’s ordinance regarding e-bikes. The town of Davidson updated its e-bike ordinance in February.
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