A Southern California teen learned the hard way that outrunning a motorcycle cop on an e-bike isn’t as easy as it looks.
The failed getaway — captured on video by Orange County cops and shared online this week — ended with a police officer calmly narrating the pursuit, warning the rider’s parents would soon be hearing about it and ultimately slapping the teen with nine citations after bringing the chase to an abrupt end.
“I would stop if I were you. This is a really, really bad idea,” the officer can be heard telling the rider during the pursuit.
“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 viral encounter is the latest sign that Orange County law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to rein in dangerous e-bike behavior that has sparked growing outrage from residents and fueled a string of alarming incidents involving young riders.
The latest example came this week in the city of Orange, where police shared video of a failed getaway attempt by a young rider at Grijalva Park — complete with a running commentary from a motorcycle officer who sounded more amused than impressed.
“I promise I’m a better rider than you too,” the officer can be heard saying.
“Oh, look, I’m still here. Get off the bike! Get off the bike or we’re gonna have big problems, bud.”
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.
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