Menifee PD seeks to educate bikers on rules of the road

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The Menifee Police Department is urging riders of e-bikes to obey vehicle codes and traffic laws following the latest incident involving a car and an e-bike.

Complaints from motorists about near misses with e-bikes have become common in many cities, and Menifee is no exception. So far, no serious injuries to bikers have been reported here, but police feel it necessary to make sure all residents are aware of the laws governing those bikes.

The most recent incident occurred at 3:51 p.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Menifee Road and Bridge Water Lane, just north of the Menifee Library. This one involved a Sur-ron off-road electric motor driven cycle – the kind Captain Dave Gutierrez said is becoming more popular among local families, despite its price tag of about $4,400.

According to a Menifee PD news release, responding officers located a juvenile who sustained minor injuries in a collision with a motor vehicle. After interviewing the cyclist and the motor vehicle driver, it was determined that the motor vehicle was heading northbound on Menifee Road and made a left-hand turn to travel west on Bridge Water Lane.

According to police, the motor vehicle had nearly completed the left turn when the cycle – which was traveling northbound on the west sidewalk of Menifee Road – left the sidewalk, entered the roadway and collided with the rear driver side quarter panel of the motor vehicle.

The driver remained on scene until paramedics and police arrived at the scene. The cyclist – a 13-year-old female – was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Driver impairment is not considered a factor in the collision, according to the news release. According to Lt. Corey Cox, the cyclist was listed as being at fault, but no citations were given. That decision was made at the discretion of the officer, Gutierrez said.

The overall problem, it appears, is that too many cyclists are either unaware of the laws or are ignoring them.

Gutierrez said the Sur-ron brand cycle falls in the same classification as a dirt bike as far as the law is concerned. Unlike the less expensive types of e-bikes, the Sur-ron has no pedals and can reach speeds of about 60 mph. Unless it is modified with multiple accessories, it is not allowed on public roads.

“Electric motor driven cycles are defined in the California Vehicle Code section 405,” stated the Menifee PD news release. “When used on public roadways, these types of conveyance require a minimum rider age of 16, a valid M1 license endorsement, an approved/appropriate helmet, proper lighting, to include brake lights, taillights, and turn signals. They must be driven on the roadway in accordance with all California Vehicle Code sections that apply to them.”

Although less expensive brands of e-bikes that are not totally motor driven are allowed on public roadways, they also are subject to state laws. E-bikes are defined in the California Vehicle Code section 312.5(a)(1-3). Descriptions of the three classes of e-bikes allowed on public roads can be found here.

According to state law, those e-bikes are only allowed to be ridden on bike lanes and paths. With the class 3 higher-speed e-bikes, riders must be at least 16 years old, must wear a helmet, and no passengers are allowed.

“The Menifee Police Department would like to encourage all our community members to operate all vehicles in a safe manner and know all rules and regulations regarding the safe and legal operation of all vehicles,” the news release stated. Collisions are unintentional acts that can result in property damage and injuries; knowing the rules of the road could help with preventing collisions and help to make us all safer vehicle operators.”