Caught With Your Helmet On

10/09/2025

For the last several days, Murrieta PD has gone to great lengths to continue educating our community on ways to maximize e-bike safety. In case you’re late to the party, please peep the recap (or swipe up for previous posts):

1 We’ve spelled out the important differences between e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
2 We listed the required equipment (including helmets) for e-bikers.
3 We provided some clarity on where e-bikers can and cannot ride and why.
4 We dished a bit more on the lifesaving benefits of helmets and when they are required.
5 We used a recent example to illustrate the nuisance and dangers of irresponsible e-biking.

Today, we come to the simplest and yet, we fear, most controversial topic: parental responsibility. Any parent’s worst nightmare on this topic undoubtedly involves their child being being injured in some type of accident. A distant second involves inheriting the legal or financial liability that comes as a result of irresponsible e-biking.

While enforcement actions such as ticketing and impounds are sometimes necessary, it is vitally important that parents understand that in more extreme cases — particularly when there is a documented history of previous law enforcement contacts for issues related to safe e-biking — they may even take on criminal liability for continuing to allow the reckless two-wheeling around town. California Penal Code 273a(a) states:

“Any person who, under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death, willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of that child to be injured, or willfully causes or permits that child to be placed in a situation where his or her person or health is endangered, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail.”

We have said it before: responsible riding begins with responsible parenting. We urge you to share the information in these posts with your children and neighbors in any way possible in order to help us ensure that e-bikes, vehicles and pedestrians can all safely share our roadways.

10/09/2025

As part of our ongoing E-Bike Education Campaign, Murrieta Police Department has been working hard to keep our community safe. Recently, we conducted two E-Bike enforcement operations in Murrieta. Here’s the results:

July 9, 2025
• 21 traffic stops conducted
• 12 citations issued for various violations
• 5 e-bikes impounded

August 19, 2025
• 17 traffic stops conducted
• 7 citations issued for various violations
• 2 e-bikes impounded
• 1 arrest made

Those who weren’t cited received education about laws and safety requirements, and parents of involved juveniles were also contacted to ensure they understand e-bike rules.

We’re committed to education, enforcement, and safety to keep our roads and trails safe for everyone.

Learn more: www.murrietaca.gov/1448/Electric-Bicycles

10/09/2025

Did you know anyone under 18 must wear a helmet while riding an e-bike on public roads, bikeways, or trails in Murrieta? It’s not just the law — it’s a lifesaver.

Helmets protect your head and brain by absorbing the impact during a crash, helping to prevent traumatic injuries, skull fractures, and even death.

✅ Make sure your helmet is properly fitted, age-appropriate, and certified for safety.
✅ Always wear it consistently and correctly.

Stay safe, protect your head, and ride smart!

For more info, visit: www.murrietaca.gov/1448/Electric-Bicycles

10/09/2025

If you’ve been following our social media over the last week you know we have put out a ton of posts talking about e-bikes and the right and wrong ways to ride them.

We encounter many juvenile e-bike riders that are riding in compliance with the law and local ordinances and are incredibly respectful. Unfortunately there are also quite a few who do not follow the law or ordinances, are disrespectful to everyone and cause incredible disruptions to businesses and traffic alike.

If you live on the west end of the city you have either heard or experienced that the Ralph’s shopping center on Washington is frequently terrorized by e-bike riders. Mostly juvenile riders, riding recklessly, without proper safety equipment and sometimes on e-bikes they are neither skilled enough or properly licensed to be riding.

In the month of September there were 12 calls for service at the Ralph’s shopping center that were type coded to be related to e-bikes. If we extrapolate that data out to a calendar year, that’s 144 calls for service at a single locations related to e-bikes. How many other locations like that exist?

We have heard the complaints and concerns from citizens and while elimination of the problem is unlikely, we are hopeful that through education and enforcement we can make the problem manageable.

On Monday 09-22-25, around 9:30 pm an officer took it upon himself to conduct proactive enforcement in the area of Ralph’s shopping center, in an effort to address this ongoing problem. During this time he came into contact with 3 juveniles that were riding e-motorcycles that were not properly registered to be on the roadways and the juveniles were not properly licensed to be riding.

All 3 e-motorcycles were impounded and the 3 juveniles were released to their parents.

While we understand that some parents may find this solution to be less than palatable using the “let them be kids” or “it’s not that big of a deal” arguments, the vast majority of the citizens of this community are demanding that this safety issue be addressed.

The city ordinance is not new, we have done multiple education campaigns and we have done several enforcement operations.

10/09/2025

In today’s topic, we hope to help you understand the difference between a bicycle and an e-conveyance device. We will also cover the differences of each of the three classes of E-Bikes.

✅ “Bicycle” = Anything you ride that’s powered by pedals and gears (including e-bikes).

✅ “E-Conveyance” = A new term covering all electric rideables—like e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards.

✅ Electric Bicycle Classes:
* Class 1: Class 1 – an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
* Class 2: Class 2 – an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
* Class 3: Class 3 - an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer.

🚴‍♂️ Bike Lane = Marked area on the road just for bikes

🌳 Bike Path = Separate, shared space for bikes + pedestrians

🛣️ Bike Route = Suggested roads where bikes can ride—watch for signs!

🛴 E-Scooters & E-Skateboards are officially recognized too!

These changes help improve safety, awareness, and access for everyone—whether you’re pedaling, cruising electric, or just sharing the road.

📍 Stay informed. Ride smart. Share the road!

10/09/2025

Today, E-bike education is focused on where you are legally allowed to ride and where it is illegal to ride.

Where can I ride? ✅
Riding bicycles and e-bikes on any sidewalk, bicycle path, bicycle trail, or roadway is permitted unless prohibited by appropriate signs. While riding a bicycle or e-bike upon a sidewalk/path/trail, you must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian or person on horseback and shall give an audible signal before overtaking.

Where am I prohibited from riding? ⛔️
No person shall ride or operate a bicycle or E-Conveyance upon any playground, park or school ground. No person shall operate a bicycle or e-bike on a bicycle path or bicycle trail at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour.
A bicycle or e-bike rider shall not allow any passengers.

All of this information and more can be found in City Ordinance 10.55.140.

For more info, visit murrietaca.gov/1448/Electric-Bicycles

10/09/2025

As we continue our E-Bike safety campaign, today we talk about specific equipment requirements when it comes to E-Bikes 🚲

As outlined in Murrieta Municipal Code Section 10.55.070, operating a bicycle or e-conveyance (e-bike, e-scooter, etc.) after sunset comes with important safety requirements:
✅ A front-facing white light is required when riding after dark.
✅ All bicycles and e-bikes must have reflectors on both wheels and a rear reflector to stay visible.

💯 Why it matters:
Proper lighting and reflectors help ensure you’re visible to other road users, preventing accidents and saving lives. Whether you’re commuting, exercising, or riding for fun, be seen, be safe.

Let’s work together to keep Murrieta’s streets safe for everyone!

For more info, visit murrietaca.gov/1448/Electric-Bicycles

10/09/2025

Not only have we had a ton of requests, but city staff have also been receiving requests for us to revisit e-bike laws, the city ordinance and some best practices as it relates to identifying types of e-bikes/motorcycles, acceptable uses and necessary safety equipment.

Today we will try to start by identifying the difference between an e-bike and a e-motorcycle.

E-Bike:
Pedal assisted
Max speed 28 MPH
Motor provides assistance
No age limit
Riders under 18 must wear helmet

E-Motorcycle:
No pedals
Max speed +60 MPH
Powerful motors
Illegal on public streets
License Endorsement required

E-motorcycles present many potential dangers including severe crashes and injuries similar to those on traditional motorcycles, especially for young, inexperienced riders. Increased speeds, inappropriate safety gear, and a lack of awareness of operating responsibilities contribute to these significant risks.

For more info, visit murrietaca.gov/1448/Electric-Bicycles

10/09/2025

08/15/2025

08/14/2025

08/12/2025

The Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) is proud to announce the official launch of the TVUSD Safe Riders Program, set to roll out at all middle and high schools across the district beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

Designed to promote smart riding habits and safer streets, the Safe Riders Program offers students an interactive and engaging online course focused on bicycle, e-bike, and e-scooter safety. Upon completing the course, students will earn a registration sticker—a requirement for parking their wheels on campus.

“This program is about more than just riding—it’s about education, responsibility, and keeping our students safe as they travel to and from school and around our beautiful city,” said TVUSD Superintendent, Dr. Gary Woods. “As e-bike and scooter use increases, we want to ensure our students are informed, prepared, and safe.”

TVUSD extends a huge thank you to its incredible community partners:
🏅Riverside County Sheriff's Office
🏙️ City of Temecula - City Government
🚴 Bike Temecula Valley a Bicycle Coalition
🎥 Caught With Your Helmet On