DIXON POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF E-BIKE AND ELECTRIC SCOOTER VIOLATIONS AMID RISING ACCIDENTS

“We Can’t Care More About the Safety of Your Children Than You Do,” Says Chief Robert Thompson

DIXON, CA – The Dixon Police Department is escalating enforcement of existing e-bike and electric scooter laws after multiple serious accidents involving juveniles. Despite four previous public safety alerts and repeated warnings to parents and riders, another collision occurred today involving a young person riding without a helmet.

Effective immediately, Dixon Police Officers will be strictly enforcing municipal laws governing e-bikes and electric scooters, with violations resulting in citations, fines, and potential impoundment of e-bikes and scooters for repeat offenses.

The department is also preparing to present an expanded ordinance to the Dixon City Council, which will further regulate e-bike and scooter use, increase penalties for violations, and close enforcement loopholes.

“We have issued four public safety announcements. We have spoken with parents. We have gone into schools. We have issued warnings after every single accident. And today, yet again, another young person was hit while riding without a helmet,” said Chief Robert Thompson.

“We can’t care more about the safety of your children than you do.”

“We are treating this like the crisis that it is. We are done with warnings. If your child is caught violating these laws, there will be consequences,” Chief Thompson continued.

ONGOING PROBLEM: REPEATED WARNINGS, REPEATED ACCIDENTS

Over the past year, Dixon has seen a sharp increase in accidents involving e-bikes and scooters—many involving juveniles riding without helmets, ignoring stop signs, weaving through traffic, and riding on sidewalks in restricted areas.

Despite four separate public safety alerts, enforcement efforts, and outreach to parents and schools, these unsafe behaviors persist, putting both riders and the public at risk.

EXISTING LAWS BEING STRICTLY ENFORCED

Effective immediately, officers will no longer issue verbal warnings. Citations and penalties will be issued in accordance with existing municipal ordinance:

• Helmet Violations – All riders under 18 must wear a helmet while operating an e-bike or scooter (DMC 12.11.040).
• Sidewalk Riding Ban – E-bikes and electric scooters may not be ridden on sidewalks in downtown Dixon or near schools and parks (DMC 10.20.010).
• Reckless Operation – Speeding, ignoring traffic signs, weaving through vehicles, or obstructing roads will result in a citation or possible impoundment of the e-bike or scooter (DMC 10.08.010 & 10.12.040).

PARENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY & VEHICLE IMPOUNDMENT

• First-time offenders may receive a warning or citation at the officer’s discretion.
• Repeat offenders will receive mandatory citations.
• E-bikes and scooters will be IMPOUNDED for egregious or multiple violations. Parents will be required to pay a $200 fee to retrieve an impounded vehicle.
• Parents will be notified in writing for every citation or warning issued to their child.

NEXT STEPS: EXPANDED ORDINANCE BEING TAKEN TO CITY COUNCIL

While Dixon PD is enforcing current municipal laws, the department is also proposing an expanded ordinance to increase fines, strengthen sidewalk and school-zone restrictions, and close loopholes that limit enforcement.

If approved by the City Council, the proposed ordinance would:

• Apply all helmet and traffic laws equally to both e-bikes and electric scooters
• Increase penalties for repeat offenders
• Give officers clearer authority to immediately impound vehicles for reckless operation

Chief Thompson emphasized the need for urgent action at every level.

“We don’t want to be the ones knocking on your door with bad news,” Chief Thompson said. “No one wants to see another preventable injury.

HELP US KEEP KIDS SAFE

Dixon PD is increasing enforcement efforts near schools, parks, and high-traffic areas. The department urges parents to:
✔ Make sure your child wears a helmet
✔ Teach them the rules of the road
✔ Ensure they follow all traffic laws