The Simi Valley Police Department has officially put E-Moto riders on notice: if you’re zipping around city streets on a high-powered electric motorcycle, you are one stop away from a tow truck.
In a statement issued in March 2026, authorities highlighted a massive spike in riders treating "off-highway" electric motorcycles (E-Motos) like standard bicycles.
Unlike Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bikes, these machines, which often lack pedals and can reach high speeds, are not street legal under the California Vehicle Code.
According to new 2026 state laws, such as Assembly Bill 875, police now have expanded authority to impound these vehicles on the spot if they are operated by unlicensed or underaged riders on public roads.
To ride a two-wheeled electric vehicle on the street legally, it must meet strict DMV requirements.
This includes having a valid California driver’s license with an M1 or M2 endorsement, wearing a DOT-approved helmet, and ensuring the vehicle is fully registered with a license plate.
Many popular E-Motos are manufactured exclusively for off-road use, meaning they lack the mirrors, turn signals, and VIN registrations required for the road.
If caught on city streets or sidewalks, Simi Valley officers are authorized to impound the vehicle for at least 48 hours, and in some cases up to 30 days, resulting in hundreds of dollars in towing and storage fees.
The city also recently updated its local ordinances to set a 15 mph speed limit for all micromobility devices on sidewalks and shared paths to protect pedestrians.
While the police department emphasizes that "education is number one," Chief Steve Shorts has warned that continued reckless behavior will lead to zero-tolerance enforcement.
For parents, the stakes are even higher, as 2026 regulations allow for potential fines and safety course requirements for the parents of minors caught riding illegal or overpowered machines.