Sacramento, California – Along the American River Parkway, where cyclists, runners, walkers and families often share the same narrow rhythm of trail life, Sacramento County officials are stepping up their focus on a growing safety concern: fast-moving e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
Sacramento County Park Rangers recently carried out a targeted enforcement operation on the American River Multi-Use Trail between Watt Avenue and Chase Drive. They were joined by the Sacramento County Probation UTV Team and California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers, creating a coordinated presence in one of the Parkway’s busy trail areas.
The operation was aimed at unsafe riding, unauthorized vehicles and confusion over rules that apply to electric bikes and similar machines. Rangers said the rise in e-bike use has also brought more violations, including speeding, use of vehicles not allowed on the trail and riders operating equipment that does not meet legal trail requirements.
By the end of the operation, Rangers had issued seven citations and towed four vehicles. Officials said those included Class 3 e-bikes and e-motorcycles being used in violation of state law and Sacramento County ordinances.
The violations ranged from operating Class 3 e-bikes on the bike trail to riding without required helmets, exceeding the Parkway’s 15 mph speed limit, using unregistered vehicles, driving without the proper license or motorcycle endorsement and operating e-motorcycles where they are not permitted.
Some riders, according to officials, were moving at speeds close to 30 mph. Rangers also found vehicles described as e-bikes that, after inspection, met the definition of e-motorcycles, bringing added licensing, registration and operating rules.
Recent ordinance changes have given Sacramento County Regional Parks stronger tools to address unsafe or unauthorized e-bike activity. Beginning June 19, Rangers will have discretion to pursue misdemeanor enforcement for certain violations when circumstances warrant.
“These enforcement efforts are about more than issuing citations,” said Commander Trevor Schnitzius.
“Our goal is to address the public’s concerns regarding unsafe e-bike and e-motorcycle activity, improve safety for everyone who uses the trail and educate riders about the rules that are in place to protect all visitors.”
Rangers say enforcement will continue throughout the Parkway. Their reminder is direct: Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited on the trail, e-motorcycles are not allowed, and everyone must follow the posted 15 mph speed limit.