Teen arrested after e-bike street takeover shuts down long beach

A 17-year-old faces charges after police dispersed a chaotic street takeover involving approximately 50 individuals riding electric bikes and pocket bikes in Long Beach on Saturday night.

Police respond to reckless e-bike activity

The Long Beach Police Department received reports of reckless riding around 4:22 p.m., with riders operating what authorities described as “illegal e-motos, illegal pocket bikes, and e-bikes” throughout the city. Officers from multiple divisions coordinated to bring the incident under control.

Chief of Police Wally Hebeish emphasized the significant public safety risk posed by these unauthorized vehicles. “Traffic safety remains a priority,” he stated, adding that the department will continue to pursue citations, arrests, and vehicle seizures for those engaging in reckless, illegal driving.

Five riders were cited for vehicle code violations, and five illegal e-motos and one illegal pocket bike were impounded. The arrest of the 17-year-old boy is on suspicion of a reckless driving-related crime. This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of regulating emerging micromobility trends and enforcing traffic laws.

The swift response by law enforcement prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating. The city’s commitment to public safety was evident in the collaborative effort to address the disruptive and hazardous activity.