Bend Police see uptick in illegal vehicles masquerading as e-bikes

BEND, Ore. [KTVZ] -- The Bend Police Department is raising concerns about a sharp increase in illegal vehicles showing up on city streets. 

Officers say many people believe they’re riding an e-bike, but in reality, some of the most popular models on the market are actually electric motorcycles — and those are not legal on Oregon roadways. 

Some residents say these electric motorcycles can be dangerous to pedestrians. 

“Start with the pedals. There's no pedals on those electric e-bikes, and on top of that, they go faster than you think. Watch your back, because they'll come get you. They're really fast and they're really quiet, and you'll be walking peacefully, and the next thing you know, boom, boom, boom, and they're like 12-year-olds. So, it's kind of crazy,” said Bend resident, Noah Daniel. 

Chris Walter, who works at the 76 Gas Station on NW Columbia Street and NW Galveston Avenue, says riders of the electric motorcycles, are going way too fast. 

“Scary, because I'm afraid people are going to get hit, and there's no stoplight around here, and we need one right here on this corner.” 

State law divides e-bikes into three classes: 

•  Class 1 are pedal-assist and cut off at 20 miles per hour 

• Class 2 use a throttle but also stop at 20 miles per hour 

• Class 3 are pedal-assist with a limit of 28 miles per hour 

If your bike goes faster than that, has no pedals — or pedals that don’t work — it’s no longer an e-bike. Bend Police say, that makes it an electric motorcycle or dirt bike, which cannot be legally operated on our streets. 

If you are riding an electric motorcycle on the streets, it must be registered. If not, be prepared for a ticket.  
 
The Bend Police Department says they need the community’s help to keep roads safe — and that means making sure what you’re riding is street legal.