Three teens cited, e-motorcycles seized following reckless “takeover-style” incident in Bend
By Mindy McKerrall on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
BEND-Bend Police have cited three juveniles and impounded unregistered electric motorcycles following a “takeover-style” incident over the weekend that involved more than 30 reckless youth riders swarming city streets.
The incident began around 4:51 p.m. on Sunday, September 6, when dispatchers received multiple emergency calls regarding a large group of teenagers gathered with e-motorcycles at the Mt. Bachelor Park & Ride parking lot. Witnesses reported that the riders subsequently took over entire traffic lanes, performing wheelies, ignoring traffic laws, and riding recklessly through downtown Bend, along Galveston Avenue, and across several westside neighborhoods.
Responding officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop near SW Columbia Street, but many riders refused to pull over and fled the scene. Law enforcement officials noted that fleeing from a police officer during a traffic stop constitutes a felony offense.
During subsequent area checks, officers located and cited three young riders:
- A 12-year-old operating an e-motorcycle capable of speeds up to 34 mph was stopped while attempting to access the Bend Parkway. The youth was cited for driving without a license and referred to Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice.
- A 14-year-old riding an e-bike without a valid driver’s license was cited and referred to Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice.
- A 15-year-old operating an e-motorcycle capable of exceeding 50 mph was cited for driving without a license, failing to wear a helmet, and operating a moped on a sidewalk. Officers impounded the vehicle at the scene.
Officers also recovered additional e-motorcycles hidden at a nearby residence after the homeowner requested police remove them from the property. Those vehicles were taken into custody as found property.
ith the start of the new school year, Bend Police are issuing a public warning to parents and guardians regarding the state laws and safety risks surrounding electric bikes and off-road electric motorcycles.
Key state regulations and city guidelines highlighted by authorities include:
- Age Restrictions: Individuals under 16 years of age are not legally permitted to operate e-bikes.
- Sidewalk Prohibition: E-bikes and e-motorcycles are strictly prohibited from being operated on city sidewalks.
- High-Speed Off-Road Vehicles: Many electric vehicles currently sold online travel at speeds well above 28 mph without pedaling. Unregisterable off-road electric motorcycles are illegal to operate on city streets, sidewalks, or public trails within Bend city limits.
Parents are urged to verify that any electric vehicles operated by their children comply with state traffic laws and speed restrictions.
