A Southern California teenager found out the hard way that trying to lose a motorcycle officer on an e-bike is not nearly as simple as it may seem.
The short-lived escape attempt, recorded by Orange County police and posted online this week, ended with the officer calmly talking the rider through the chase, warning that the teen’s parents would likely be getting a call, and later issuing nine citations after bringing the pursuit to a stop.
“I would stop if I were you. This is a really, really bad idea,” the officer is heard telling the rider as the chase unfolds.
“Okay. I mean, we can keep going but it’s a bad idea. Your face is on camera. I know you go to school around here. I’m going to find you. What’s mom and dad going to say when they see your face. when I tell them this?” the officer continued.
The video has since drawn attention as another example of Orange County agencies taking a tougher stance on reckless e-bike riding, an issue that has frustrated residents and raised safety concerns after a series of troubling incidents involving young riders.
This particular case happened in the city of Orange, where police released footage from Grijalva Park showing the young rider’s unsuccessful attempt to get away while a motorcycle officer provided a running commentary that was as steady as it was pointed.
“I promise I’m a better rider than you too,” the officer says at one point in the video.
“Oh, look, I’m still here. Get off the bike! Get off the bike or we’re gonna have big problems, bud,” he added as the encounter came to an end.
Moments later, the chase came to an end.
“We heard you loud and clear about e-bikes at Grijalva Park,” the department wrote in a social media post. “One rider recently decided that stopping for an officer was optional and attempted to make a quick getaway.”
“As you’ll see in the video, that plan had a very short life expectancy.”
The rider was cited for nine violations and had his motorcycle impounded – the officer is seen on video issuing a lengthy paper ticket.
According to the officer, the alleged infractions included evading a police officer, fleeing, violating municipal code rules, riding unsafely in a city park, operating a motorcycle without license plates, riding without a helmet, lacking a valid driver’s or motorcycle license, failing to carry insurance and registration, and not having mirrors on the vehicle.
“That’s a pretty expensive way to learn the rules of the road,” the department quipped.
Despite the humorous delivery, Orange County law enforcement agencies are engaged in a broader effort to curb dangerous riding behavior that has fueled mounting complaints from residents.
Last week, the Tustin Police Department announced it would begin enforcing a stricter e-bike ordinance aimed at cracking down on unsafe riders. Among other restrictions, riders are prohibited from speeding through parks and pedestrian areas, riding against traffic, and carrying unauthorized passengers.
Officials pointed to alarming injury statistics, noting that e-bike crashes have become a leading cause of traumatic injuries among children under 18.
The crackdown comes after a string of headline-grabbing incidents involving young riders.
Earlier this month, two juveniles allegedly rode e-bikes through a Walmart in Lake Forest, weaving through aisles and “almost hitting people” before disappearing before deputies arrived.
Perhaps most tragically, Orange County prosecutors filed felony charges against the mother of a 14-year-old boy accused of fatally striking an 81-year-old man while riding an e-bike in Lake Forest.
Authorities have also reported riders performing dangerous stunts and taking over public streets in large groups.
