Long Beach Parents Demand Crackdown on Dangerous E-Bike Riders

Belmont Shore parents say middle-school riders on high-powered e-bikes chased a 9-year-old and fired gel pellets, prompting calls for new rules and enforcement.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:07pm

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After a concerning incident in Belmont Shore where middle-school riders on high-powered electric bikes chased a 9-year-old and fired gel pellets, a group of Long Beach parents is demanding a tougher response from the city and schools. Parents say the problem of young riders on e-bikes and other illegal motorized vehicles has been growing unchecked for months, with riders often speeding through neighborhoods without helmets. City officials and schools say they are working on education and new rules, but parents are calling for clearer laws and faster enforcement.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing safety concerns around the rise of high-powered electric bikes and other motorized vehicles being used by young riders in residential areas. As e-bike technology becomes more accessible, there are increasing clashes between young riders and pedestrians, raising questions about how to balance individual freedom with public safety, especially for vulnerable groups like children.

The details

In the recent incident, a 9-year-old was chased and struck by gel pellets fired by about 10 middle-schoolers on e-bikes, leaving welts on the child's back and face. Parents say they have seen riders on dirt bikes and e-motos speeding through the neighborhood without helmets. City staff confirm they have seen a spike in complaints and are working on a comprehensive plan to address the issue, including clarifying the legal distinctions between different classes of e-bikes and other motorized vehicles, and pairing enforcement with education and outreach.

  • On Sunday, the incident with the 9-year-old occurred.
  • A Change.org petition started by a local parent has now topped 1,000 signatures, according to Change.org.
  • The city's interdepartmental team is scheduled to return to the City Council with recommendations before the end of May.

The players

Kimberley Pierce-Lynne

A parent whose 9-year-old child was chased and struck by gel pellets fired by middle-schoolers on e-bikes.

Long Beach Unified

The school district that has flagged several e-bikes and e-motos as illegal and sent students home with parent notices.

City of Long Beach

The local government that is working on a comprehensive plan to address the issue of young riders on high-powered electric bikes and other motorized vehicles.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The city's interdepartmental team is scheduled to return to the City Council with recommendations before the end of May, which could include new rules and enforcement measures.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between the rise of high-powered electric bikes and the need to ensure public safety, especially for vulnerable groups like children. As e-bike technology becomes more accessible, cities and schools will need to balance individual freedom with the need for clear rules, education, and effective enforcement to protect their communities.