Some Californians were just offered tempting incentives to give up their e-bikes.
On Sep. 13, the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Office hosted the E-Bike and E-Moto Buy Back Program at Angel Stadium, according to the OCDA’s Office.
Attendees could surrender their e-bikes, e-scooters, e-motos, pocket bikes, or homemade miniature motorized bikes.
Each person won a gift card worth $200-$1,000 from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, or Walmart. The gift card funds came from money police seized from illegal businesses. The amount of money each person received depended on the bike’s class.
Additionally, the first 75 people who turned in their vehicles received two free tickets to a Los Angeles Angels game.
Purpose of the Event
The event was part of efforts by the OCDA’s Office to combat the rapidly increasing number of e-bike and e-motorcycle crashes across the state.
Nationwide, more than 100 people have died from the vehicles since 2024.
In Southern California, the OCDA’s Office reports a 430% increase in injuries related to e-bikes and e-motorcycles over the past four years.
61.7% of e-motorcycle crashes involved minors between the ages of 11 and 14, despite California law prohibiting juveniles aged 15 or younger from riding them.
“Motorcycles have become the number one reason Orange County children are admitted to the emergency room,” the OCDA’s office’s press release reads.
To combat this worrying trend, the RIDE SAFELY unit was established
Harsher Punishments
A key purpose of the RIDE SAFELY unit is to issue harsher consequences to juveniles who ride illegal e-bikes and e-motorcycles, and their parents who allow them to.
Staffed by prosecutors from the OCDA’s Juvenile Justice and Community Outreach and the Family Protection Unit, the department’s examines all of the criminal charges minors and parents can face.
Since Jan. 2026, the OCDA’s Office has charged four parents who let their children operate illegal e-motorcycles.
Parents Who Were Charged
In one high-profile case, in April 2026, a 14-year-old was riding a Surron e-motorcycle when he struck and killed 81-year-old Ed Ashman, a Vietnam veteran.
Before the crash, the minor’s mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, was repeatedly warned that her teenager was riding an illegal e-motorcycle and she could face charges if she continued letting him do so, according to the OCDA’s office.
After the accident, Mejer was charged with manslaughter and faces seven years and eight months in prison if found guilty.
In another case, Richard Eyssallenne was charged with felony child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor after his 12-year-old son was injured.
Eyssallenne’s son was operating an illegal e-motorcycle adjusted to go up to 60 miles per hour when he ran a red light and crashed into a car. Prior to the accident, the duo was warned about the dangers of minors riding these vehicles.
Eyssallenne will face up to six years in prison if he’s convicted.