THESE ARE NOT BICYCLES!
THEY ARE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES - "E-MOTOS"
What you’re seeing parked at local middle schools (slide show below) across Marin County are not ordinary bicycles. These are high-powered electric motorcycles, commonly referred to as “E-Motos,” and they’re being ridden by children as young as 11 to 13 years old.
Read the Super 73 Lawsuit filed in Marin County Superior Court on February 10, 2025 (PDF)
Some models — like the Ride1Up Dirtbike, which can reach speeds of 35 mph, and the Mantis Dirtbike, capable of 54 mph — are not just unsafe for young riders, they are also non-compliant with California law. These vehicles require DMV registration, proof of insurance, a valid driver’s license, and proper safety equipment. Without those, operating them on public roads or trails is illegal. "40 Powerful Comments from Danville Residents - A Must Read for Every Parent Considering an Electric Motorcycles ("E-Moto") for Their Child"(PDF)
Yet every day, unlicensed and uninsured children are riding these machines in our neighborhoods, downtown and near our schools — at speeds faster than most cars in a school zone — without proper training, supervision, or legal authority. They lack the physical and cognitive maturity to manage such dangerous vehicles safely.
This is not a harmless trend. It is a public safety emergency. We urge parents, school leaders, and local officials to act now before more children are seriously hurt. Photo Gallery of 20 Electric Motorcycles E-Motos (PDF)
Watch the TV News Story - Video: 70 E-Motos at Stone Valley Middle School .