Glendale advisory: e‑motorcycles barred from city streets; towing and fines possible

An unidentified speaker in a Glendale public safety advisory said electric off‑road motorcycles — sometimes called e‑motorcycles — are classified under California law as off‑highway vehicles and may not be ridden on city streets, parks, sidewalks or other public areas. The advisory said officers have the authority to take enforcement action, including towing or impounding the vehicle.

The advisory distinguished electric bicycles (e‑bikes) from electric off‑road motorcycles. "It has pedals like an ordinary bicycle and is considered a bicycle under California law," said an unidentified speaker, adding that e‑bikes, when operated properly, are legal on public roads and bike paths but are subject to class‑specific helmet requirements and all rules of the road.

An unidentified speaker described the off‑road electric motorcycle as having pegs rather than pedals and said the vehicle is classified in the advisory as covered by "California vehicle code 4 3 6.1" as an electric off‑road motorcycle, which the advisory said means it cannot be ridden on city streets. The advisory advised that e‑motorcycles may be ridden on private property or in designated off‑highway areas only.

On enforcement, the advisory warned: "When an e motorcycle is operated on a roadway, officers have the authority to take enforcement action, including towing or impounding the vehicle." It added that additional violations and consequences, including fines and fees, may apply for reckless operation, lacking a license, or underage operation.

The advisory also addressed parents: "Before you ride, before you buy. Know the difference," one speaker said, while another concluded, "Ride safely." Listeners were directed to scan a QR code or visit the city's website for more information and the related laws on e‑motorcycles and e‑bicycles.

The transcript of the advisory spells the vehicle code citation as "4 3 6.1." The advisory framed that code as the basis for its classification; readers seeking legal specifics should consult the California Vehicle Code or the city's posted guidance for exact citations and numeric formatting.