LAKE HAVASU CITY — With the rise in the number of e-bikes and subsequent associated accidents, Lake Havasu City police officers and local school officials have ramped up education efforts as elected leaders continue to grapple with what is the best policy to address concerns.
A presentation made at a recent Lake Havasu City Council meeting addressed what police officers have been trying to do and how those efforts have been received.
Over a four-month period in 2025, more than 4,700 elementary, middle and high school students have received training on electric-bike rules and safety, according to a video presented to the City Council.
“We did it and we’re doing it again,” said Lake Havasu City Police Capt. Chad Williams on the training and follow-up e-bike education in the schools.
The new e-bike technology has led to two fatal accidents on the roads in the last several months, 33 crash reports and 27 of those crashes had injuries, Williams said.
Citations get tricky, Williams told councilmembers because they are talking about children on the e-bikes.
Councilman Cameron Moses said giving a child receiving a citation for violating the e-bike ordinance a ride home in the back of a police car might be a good option.
Offering a positive incentive such as a free day at the Aquatic Center for a child operating an e-bike properly and safely could work well, said Councilwoman Michele Lin.
Williams agreed with Lin that an “attaboy” pat on the back type of incentive could work well.
The city has an e-bike ordinance in place, but Mayor Cal Sheehy said there is a bigger need beyond Havasu to address the problem.
“This is a statewide concern at this point,” Sheehy said. “We do need a multi-pronged approach to address it completely.”
The city’s e-bike ordinance addresses various concerns including restricting e-bikes in Rotary Park, requiring all e-bike riders to follow the rules of the road such stopping at stop signals and stop signs. Also, e-bikes with motors that are higher than 750 watts or bikes that can exceed 20 mph may require registration, insurance and a Class M license. Fines up to $300 can be issued.
City Manager Jess Knudson said he’s keeping an eye on what some cities in the Phoenix area, specifically, Glendale is doing.
Glendale passed an ordinance with a helmet requirement, lighting standard and reduced citation fine amount, Knudson said. The reduced fine amount could work better in the court system, he added.
