Folsom police used a drone to track a group of riders on illegal e-motorcycles who fled from officers during a targeted enforcement operation on Sept. 25.

The operation, prompted by community complaints about reckless riding, resulted in one juvenile being cited for criminal and traffic violations, as first reported by the Folsom Times. The e-motorcycle was towed, and the juvenile's parents were called to the scene to take custody of their child.

A Folsom Police Department drone operator tracked the fleeing group from the air and helped officers on the ground locate and stop the juvenile rider. The remaining riders got away. Police said they are working with other law enforcement agencies to identify them.

The drone approach is notable because Police Chief Adam Green told the Folsom City Council on Sept. 9 that officers have "very clear direction" not to chase children riding e-bikes over minor violations, since the risks of a pursuit can outweigh the offense. E-motorcycles, however, can already be cited or towed under existing state law.

Officers also stopped several riders operating Class 2 e-bikes for minor traffic violations during the same operation. Those riders received education and warnings rather than citations, the department said.

The Sept. 25 operation came about two weeks after Green told the council that e-bike collisions doubled in 2025 compared with the previous two years. Juveniles were involved in 72% of those collisions, and the rider was at fault in 70% of cases, Green said, as reported by the Folsom Times. Green also reported that Folsom Parks and Recreation spent more than $37,000 over six months repairing damage from improper e-bike use.

What parents need to know

The legal line between an e-bike and an e-motorcycle matters. Under California law, a legal e-bike must have fully operable pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less. E-bikes do not require DMV registration, a license plate or a driver's license.

An e-motorcycle is different. According to the City of Folsom, any electric or gas-powered device capable of exceeding 30 mph is classified as a motorcycle. E-motorcycles must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and display a valid license plate. Riders must carry a motorcycle license with an M1 or M2 endorsement and wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet.

E-motorcycles are banned from trails, bike lanes and sidewalks in Folsom. Violations can result in towing or impounding.

One common misconception: some e-motorcycles are sold with aftermarket pedal kits. Adding pedals does not convert an e-motorcycle into a legal e-bike, according to the city's guidance. Green made the same point at the Sept. 9 council meeting.

The Folsom City Council is also working on a unified e-bike ordinance with higher fines. The council directed staff on Sept. 9 to consolidate two proposed ordinances into a single chapter with penalties of $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second and $500 for subsequent violations within a year. No return date has been announced.