Hanford’s e-bike and e-scooter problem was a big topic of discussion at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
In a public comment, Hanford resident Todd Cotta shared what he described as a near-miss encounter with children riding e-bikes as he turned onto Irwin Street last Saturday. The children made a rude gesture at him after narrowly avoiding a collision, he said.
“These parents are willfully letting these kids go out on these streets,” Cotta said.
In Fresno, a 14-year-old teen died in recent weeks after a collision on his gas-powered mini bike. That is the second teen to die on a motorized bike or scooter in Fresno this month.
Fresno State announced it is banning motorized personal transportation devices on campus starting in August.
The City of Hanford passed an ordinance regulating e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards on Feb. 3, 2026.
Electric dirt bikes, mini-motorcycles, and anything without pedals are illegal and not allowed on City streets, sidewalks, or bike lanes.
Depending on the class of e-bike, speeds limits range from 20 to 28 miles per hour.
Helmets are required for riders under 18 on class one and class two e-bikes. Only 16-year-olds and older can ride class three e-bikes, and helmets are required for everyone.
The ordinance also restricts e-bike and e-scooter use in parks, playgrounds, and school grounds unless designated and sets a 20 miles per hour speed limit on City bicycle paths and trails.
Hanford police can also now issue fines and citations against frequent code violators, along with temporary restraining orders or injunctions.
Since the ordinance passed, the Hanford Police Department has tried to educate parents on the risks posed by e-bikes and e-scooters to children, said Stephanie Huddleston, chief of police.
“Quite honestly, we’re not getting cooperation from the majority of parents,” she said.
The Police Department is partnering with Valley Children’s Hospital on an initiative to combat personal motorized vehicles. The hospital has seen a large number of children coming in with injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters.
But catching the high-speed personal vehicles is difficult, because the bikes and scooters are so small, they are often able to weave in between traffic and get away.
“We don’t want to get in an issue where we’re pursuing a bicycle, and a kid gets injured,” Huddleston said.
“I’ve had quite a few students who come to school the next morning with a lot of road rash, and they’ve gotten injured,” said Councilmember Travis Paden. “It is something that we need to be concerned about.”
Paden asked Huddleston if School Resource Officers could have in-class conversations with children about e-bike and e-scooter risks and regulations.
“Absolutely,” Huddleston said.
Valley Children’s Hospital is also offering training to police officers on how to educate the public on this issue.
“We have to do something as a community to get the word out that this is not a playground for kids to be dangerous, and parents have to be held accountable,” Cotta said.