DENVER (KDVR) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is warning the community that not all “e-bike” sales are of actual e-bikes, and some of the products being sold are far more powerful than the standard e-bike.
The sheriff’s office said it is seeing a sharp increase in young riders using electric vehicles that look like e-bikes, but have a lot more power to them. They are marketed online as e-bikes, but a closer look at the specs of the bikes shows that they are higher than the 750-watt legal limit, classifying them as motor vehicles under state law.
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E-bikes are not the issue the sheriff’s office has problems with; it said that the issue is the high-powered vehicles disguised as e-bikes. The sheriff’s office said that some manufacturers add non-functional pedals to make them appear more like standard e-bikes.
Some of the vehicles range from 1,000 to 6,000 or more watts, which means they can reach speeds of 30 to 65 mph or more.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office offered tips for purchasing e-bikes, or for parents looking to do so for their children:
If the motor is over 750 watts, it is not a legal e-bike in Colorado
750W to 4,476W vehicles may be classified as low-power electric vehicles and require a driver’s license, insurance, and registration
Vehicles over 4,476W are classified as motorcycles and require a motorcycle endorsement, plus licensing, insurance, and registration
Riders can face fines, and unregistered vehicles may be impounded
Adults who knowingly allow, aid, or encourage a minor to illegally operate a vehicle may face criminal charges, including Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a class 1 misdemeanor
All “e-bikes” might not actually be e-bikes, and the sheriff’s office advises potential buyers to research the product they are interested in to make sure they are legal e-bikes.
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