By Steven Rode
Let’s be honest about something Corona has been tiptoeing around for far too long: our city has an e-bike problem, and it’s not because e-bikes are inherently dangerous. It’s because far too many of the kids riding them are acting like traffic laws—and basic common sense—don’t apply to them.
Drive down Foothill Parkway, Ontario Avenue, or through South Corona on any given afternoon, and you’ll witness the growing chaos firsthand. Groups of teens race each other at full throttle, drift between cars, run stop signs, and zip through shopping center parking lots like they’re filming an action reel for social media. Helmets are optional, traffic rules are negotiable, and accountability is apparently nonexistent. And at speeds approaching 28 mph, one impulsive move can turn a fun ride into a life-changing accident.
Let’s call it what it is:
They’re riding real vehicles with very little maturity and absolutely no formal training.
Yet no one seems eager to confront the issue. Parents defend their children. Drivers grit their teeth. Schools dodge the topic. And the city leans on the excuse that “every community is dealing with this.” Meanwhile, residents report near misses, damaged lawns, broken mailbox posts, and teens cutting across private driveways to shave a few seconds off their route.
These incidents almost never get reported—not because they’re insignificant, but because people don’t want to be labeled as the neighborhood curmudgeon complaining about kids. But ignoring the problem doesn’t make it disappear. It lets it multiply.
And here’s something worth noting: we attempted to get official clarification.
An email was sent to the Public Information Officer with the Corona Police Department asking about policies, crash data, and enforcement related to youth e-bike use. As of the date of this publication, we have not received a response. When we do, we will publish their statement on our website and include it in our next issue. Transparency matters, and we intend to ensure the public is fully informed.
This isn’t an argument against e-bikes. In fact, they offer meaningful benefits—especially for teens. They provide independence, outdoor activity, and a way to get around without adding more cars to our already strained roads. But freedom without responsibility doesn’t build confident young adults. It builds reckless behavior, preventable injuries, and a community increasingly on edge.
Corona must confront the reality:
Some teens are simply not ready to control powerful devices that move faster than many assume. Ignoring that truth doesn’t make us compassionate—it makes us negligent.
We don’t need bans. We need boundaries.
Schools must integrate traffic safety.
Parents must understand the laws tied to the e-bikes they buy.
And the city must enforce regulations already in place, including helmet laws and age limits for Class 3 bikes.
Handled responsibly, e-bikes could be an asset—healthy, practical, empowering.
Handled recklessly, they’re a crash waiting to happen.
As a community, we have a choice: help guide our youth toward responsible independence, or pretend nothing is wrong until something goes terribly, tragically wrong.
SIDEBAR: this would be highlighted on the side of the op-ed piece
What Parents and Teens Need to Know
California E-Bike Classifications
Class 1
- Pedal-assisted
- Max speed: 20 mph
- No age restriction
Class 2
- Throttle-assisted
- Max speed: 20 mph
- No age restriction
Class 3
- Pedal-assisted
- Max speed: 28 mph
- Minimum age: 16
- Helmet required
Helmet Requirements
- All riders under 18 must wear a helmet (any class).
- Class 3 riders of any age must wear a helmet.
Where Teens Can and Cannot Ride
- E-bikes must follow the same traffic laws as cars.
- Sidewalk riding is prohibited in many areas of Corona.
- Riders must travel with the flow of traffic.
- Stop signs and red lights apply to e-bikes—no exceptions.
Common Safety Violations Seen in Corona
- Riding against traffic
- No helmets
- Riding in groups that block lanes
- Cutting through parking lots or private property
- Speeding downhill or in residential zones
Liability & Responsibility
- Parents can be held civilly liable for damage caused by minors.
- Property damage claims can include lawns, vehicles, fences, mailboxes, and landscaping.
- Modified e-bikes that exceed legal speeds may result in additional penalties.
We Want to Hear From You
We welcome input from our readers. Share your experiences, questions, opinions, or suggestions:
📧 info@thecoronaliving.com
Your voice matters—and your feedback helps shape future coverage for our community.