Last week, Orange County Sheriff deputies conducted focused e-bike enforcement in response to multiple resident complaints about gas and electric mini bikes, often called pocket bikes, being ridden on city streets, according to Rancho Margarita Police services.
Several riders were stopped and the illegal bikes were towed. These bikes do not belong on our roadways and pose real safety risks to the public.
O.C. deputies are seeing more illegal motorized bikes in neighborhoods, including pocket bikes and Surron style electric dirt bikes. Many are built for off road use, travel at high speeds and lack the required safety equipment. When operated on streets, sidewalks, or bike paths, they put riders, pedestrians, and drivers at risk.
Many of the people operating these illegal bikes are our youth. This is not about keeping kids from riding. We support bicycles and legal e-bikes when they are operated safely and lawfully. Parents play the biggest role keeping their kids safe. Understanding what you are buying matters. Taking a few minutes to learn the rules before buying prevents tickets, tows and injuries. Informed choices protect your child and help keep our neighborhoods safe for everyone.
Why they are NOT legal e‑bikes in California
1. California requires e‑bikes to have fully operable pedals
California Vehicle Code §312.5 defines an e‑bike as a bicycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of ≤ 750 watts.
The bikes noted in the Instagram post above have no pedals, which means:
They are legally not e‑bikes.
They automatically fall into the category of:
- Motor‑driven cycle, or
- Moped, depending on power and max speed
2. Vehicles without pedals and exceeding e‑bike limits require:
- Driver’s license
- DMV registration
- Insurance
- DOT motorcycle helmet
Most mini‑moto vehicles do not come with:
- DOT lighting
- Brake equipment
- VIN numbers
- Manufacturer certification
…which means they cannot be legally registered, meaning they cannot be legally operated on public roads.
Penalties faced by the Suspects
Penalties riders face for operating illegal gas or electric mini bikes (“pocket bikes”) on public streets in California:
- Pocket bikes cannot be operated on any roadway, sidewalk, bikeway, trail, or public land under California Vehicle Code §21720.
- Violations can lead to citations and vehicle impoundment.
- Riders may face fines ranging from several hundred dollars.
- Riding without a license can result in a fine of up to $250.
- Riding an unregistered motor‑driven cycle or motorcycle can trigger additional fines. Pocket bikes generally cannot be registered because they lack required VIN and equipment.
- Riding without insurance (required if the vehicle is treated as a motor‑driven cycle) may lead to a fine up to $500.
- Riders can receive points on their driving record, depending on the violations issued.
- Riders can be cited for operating a motorcycle without an M1 license, since pocket bikes are legally treated as motor‑driven cycles when used on public roads.
- Riders can be cited for operating an unregistered motor vehicle, because the DMV does not register pocket bikes.
- Additional citations may be issued for lack of required motorcycle safety equipment, such as headlights, brake lights, mirrors, or turn signals.
- If a rider causes injury or property damage, they may be held personally liable due to the lack of insurance coverage.