E-bike incident in La Jolla leads to increased enforcement, police say

A recent e-bike incident in front of La Jolla’s Starkey Park got attention on social media — and from the San Diego Police Department. As a result, police say, enforcement in the area will be increased and officers will work to educate local youths about responsible e-bike use.

The incident in question occurred Aug. 17 and is chronicled in a video posted to social media soon afterward. In the video, a group of youths is seen riding electric bikes on Draper Avenue near Gravilla Street in front of Starkey Park, screaming and honking their horns loudly. Some are riding on one wheel and others have multiple riders on one bike, some of them without helmets.

Once they discover they are being video-recorded, some of the youths use expletives and sexual and racial slurs and one rider gives the middle finger to the person filming.

The person who posted the video said the youths also were harassing adults, including a senior citizen, and “using offensive language, making inappropriate gestures, making threats and even assaulting a woman.”

“This behavior went on for some time and was extremely concerning to witnesses,” according to the post.

“It’s our responsibility as a community, but especially as parents, to make sure our kids understand that this type of harassment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the post stated.

The post had 223 comments as of Aug. 27.

The person used only a first name and initial and could not immediately be reached for further comment.

San Diego police said they identified the youths and contacted their families in the days after the video was posted.

Now, SDPD Lt. Bryan Brecht said, officers have been “conducting extra patrols in the area, especially along the [La Jolla] Bike Path,” which is directly behind Starkey Park.

Additionally, officers are “working together to set up a meeting with school administrative staff and the parents of the individuals involved in the incident at Starkey Park,” according to SDPD Community and Youth Services Officer Cody Wolf. “We hope to have a roundtable conversation regarding the incident to discuss steps to correct the juveniles’ behavior moving forward. Additionally, we hope to spread awareness of the dangers, laws and safety as it pertains to e-bikes.”

Wolf did immediately address whether he was referring to a specific school.

According to the Police Department, motorized bikes are prohibited on bike paths such as La Jolla’s and at the La Jolla Shores boardwalk. Also, riders must obey the same rules of the road as everyone else.

Helmets are required for riders younger than 18 on Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which can reach top speed of 20 mph.

No one younger than 16 is allowed to operate a Class 3 e-bike, which can reach top speed of 28 mph. Helmets are required for anyone on a Class 3 e-bike.