The Brief

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

The scene on the 6th Street Bridge on Sunday was hard to miss: Crowds of young people with minibikes were corralled along the bridge, some with their hands zip-tied behind their backs.

More than 70 people were cited, and dozens of minibikes were impounded during a Los Angeles Police Department enforcement operation targeting “illegal motorized mini-bike activity.” Among those cited were youth as young as 13 years old, as well as parents who were riding with their children, according to news reports.

The LAPD said the motorized minibikes were unauthorized and were blocking the bridge, performing donuts and wheelies and riding on the wrong side of the roadway.

To the LAPD, the show of force was necessary, saying pocket bikes have low visibility, high instability and no required safety equipment. “One wrong move can lead to catastrophic injury,” the LAPD said.

But others, including parents, were taken aback by the enforcement operation.

“As long as we ride together with them as a parent, it shouldn’t be a crime, and it shouldn’t be illegal for my daughter to be riding right next to her dad, riding and enjoying her minibike,” one parent told ABC 7 Eyewitness News.

Here’s what the law says about riding a minibike on L.A. streets:

What are minibikes and pocket bikes?

The California Highway Patrol defines pocket bikes as two-wheeled motorized devices with a seat or a saddle. They are not designed or manufactured for highway use, according to the CHP website.

Minibikes, while similar to pocket bikes, typically feature open-tube steel frames, upright seating, larger wheels and more engine power, delivering speeds of nearly 30 miles per hour. With modifications, minibikes can approach speeds of 70 miles per hour according to an LA City Council motion.

The terms “pocket bikes” and “minibike” are sometimes used interchangeably by law enforcement. The California Department of Motor Vehicles classifies these types of vehicles as “miniature vehicles” that cannot be registered or operated on public streets.

Unlike e-bikes, which are powered by their own electric motors and have their own classification, pocket bikes and minibikes may be powered by electric motors or small gas engines.

Are minibikes new?

While minibikes have grown in popularity in recent years, hobbyists have been scrapping together the motorized devices for decades.

Recently, local minibike groups have attracted dozens of riders from around the Los Angeles area to participate in group “rideouts,” often described by law enforcement as “takeovers.” The subculture has also inspired young tinkerers and mechanics to build up their rides or even offer mobile mechanic services.

Is it legal to ride minibikes on California public streets and highways?

No. That’s because they are not equipped with the required safety features, such as headlights, taillights, and mirrors, according to Geovana Herrera, a Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson.

Can you legally ride a minibike anywhere in California?

Minibikes may only be operated on private property, racetracks or designated off-road areas, Herrera said. Their use is prohibited on public roads, sidewalks, bike paths, hiking trails, and other public lands, according to California Vehicle Code Section 21720.

What happens if you’re stopped or cited riding a minibike in L.A.?

Individuals can get cited for violating California Vehicle Code Section 21720.

If you get cited for violating the law, your pocket or minibike may be impounded for up to 48 hours. The rider will be responsible for all costs associated with the removal and storage of the bike.

Enforcing the law is up to local and state law enforcement agencies. Some Eastside minibike riders told Boyle Heights Beat they’ve had differing experiences depending on which agency pulls them over.

What were the violations on the 6th Street Bridge?

The LAPD said it detained 78 people at the Sixth Street Bridge, citing 49 juveniles and 17 adults for operating an illegal minibike on streets.

Police said it also issued five administrative enforcement citations for being present at a street takeover and arrested two people on suspicion of aiding and abetting.

A total of 76 vehicles were impounded, including 74 minibikes and two pickup trucks, the LAPD said.

The LAPD also said it conducted an investigative report for misdemeanor child endangerment involving a parent who admitted allowing his 13-year-old daughter to participate in the Sunday ride that police referred to as a “takeover.”

Republican Sonja Shaw conceded the race for California Superintendent of Public Instruction to Democrat Richard Barrera late Wednesday evening.

“Last night voters made their choice. I would be lying if I said my heart wasn’t heavy,” Shaw said in a statement shared on social media. “As a mother and a protector of children, I feel deeply saddened for the kids. They are the ones who deserve so much better.”

In her social media post, which included a photo of Shaw locking hands with her husband and two daughters, Shaw said her kids had motivated her to run for state superintendent. Shaw won election to the Chino Valley Unified school board in 2022, fueled by support from conservative parents.

“The problem is that for decades, the same people have had their hands on our education system while our children have continued to fall behind,” Shaw said. “I believe we had an opportunity to change that.”

The office of California superintendent of public instruction is nonpartisan, with no party affiliation listed on the ballot. In past races, it was not unusual for two Democrats to advance to the November election. But this year, endorsements, campaign funding and campaigning broke largely along partisan lines.

Shaw, a Republican and board president of Chino Valley Unified, emerged as the top vote getter in a crowded June primary that featured several Democratic state lawmakers. But she contended in her statement that her race didn’t have the “money or machinery” that her opponent did in the November election.

Shaw trailed Barrera by nearly 15 percentage points, according to the latest election results Thursday morning. Shaw’s campaign raised about $595,000 compared to Barrera’s $812,000. However, the California Teachers Association, the state’s largest teachers union and a heavy spender in state superintendent races, also spent $8.4 million to support Barrera, the board president of San Diego Unified.

That pales in comparison to the combined $50 million raised in the 2018 state superintendent race Tony Thurmond won against Marshall Tuck in 2018. The 2026 state superintendent race had the distinction of featuring two local school board members.

Shaw said she’s not sure what her next steps will be.

“I don’t know exactly what God has next, but I know He isn’t finished,” she said.

Shaw will not be returning to the Chino Valley Unified school board where she began her political career. Her husband, Chris Shaw, ran for her open seat and is trailing his challenger by 11 points, according to the San Bernardino County Register of Voters.

This story was originally published by EdSource.

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills is set to officially open next month, but that hasn’t stopped some wildlife from already using it.

Cameras captured coyote footage twice — once last week and again on Thursday morning — making the mammal the first large animal species seen using the crossing.

“This is amazing — obviously, the wildlife are not waiting for our opening date,” said Beth Pratt, president of the Wildlife Crossing Fund. “The animals are already blessing this crossing and saying, ‘Yep, you got it right.’”

Construction of the expansive bridge began in 2022, aimed at giving wildlife safe passage between the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills after years of research.

Pratt said it’s unclear whether the images of the coyote are of the same animal. The coyote in the most recent image from Thursday morning can be seen on the 101 structure holding a bone or a stick in its mouth.

“The coyote is validating that we got this designed right, and I think that there's something also about a coyote being first — kind of the L.A. mascot next to P-22,” Pratt said.

The National Park Service is installing more cameras along the crossing to document and study how animals use it. While images will be made publicly available, there will not be a livestream.

“We can't, for security reasons, because this is L.A., and if there's a mountain lion going across, somebody's gonna go try to pet it,” Pratt said.

Topline:

• How we got here: Roy held on to a strong lead over McKinney ever since polls closed and is currently ahead by more than twice as many votes. Roy will be a fresh face to the role after the incumbent city attorney, Hydee Feldstein Soto, was ousted in the June primary in a rare defeat of an elected city official. 

• What the candidates had to say: 
  
  • Roy said on social media Wednesday that election night was “a really good night for the people who believe that we should take care of one another, that we can stand up for our rights — even in what feels like an increasingly lawless world — and that we will achieve justice when we fight for it.”
  • McKinney posted on social media Thursday that he’s back in his old office at the Hall of Justice. “The run for City Attorney was an incredible journey, and I’m truly grateful for everyone who believed in me, supported me, and stood by my side,” McKinney wrote. "While I’m disappointed things didn’t turn out the way we hoped, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything." He acknowledged Roy in a social media video earlier this week, describing her as a “hard worker” who put together a strong coalition of support. McKinney added that he would be “rooting for her.”
  • Neither campaign immediately responded to LAist’s requests for additional comment.
• What’s at stake: The city attorney runs an office of more than 550 lawyers representing L.A. in all legal matters, including filing lawsuits and defending against them. Roy, backed by powerful progressives like U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, has vowed to take on the Trump administration in court.
• Go deeper: Read more about the city attorney's role and what's on the table for Roy's first term.

Construction of the green metal fence around MacArthur Park will begin Monday, Nov. 16, with work scheduled to continue through fall 2027.

The city announced the start date Nov. 4, saying crews will install an 8-foot fence around the park’s perimeter. Nearby residents and businesses can expect some noise, dust and vibration during construction, although the city said mitigation measures will be in place.

Crews will work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the park will remain open while crews are working. 

The fence is the city’s latest attempt to tackle longstanding problems at MacArthur Park, including drug use, homelessness and crime.

The city first approved plans for the fence in October 2025, and the proposal has since drawn both support and criticism from residents and community groups.

Some say they hope the fence will make the park safer, while others question whether it will actually improve conditions there. Police and city officials say the fence will give them more control over the space and make it easier to enforce the law.

Ana Luz Vazquez, a street vendor near MacArthur Park, said her main concern about the fence is what will happen to the unhoused people who stay in the park throughout the day and whether the city plans to address that issue directly.

She is also concerned that construction during the day could affect her ability to work because of traffic, less parking availability and loud noise.

Vazquez said she would prefer construction to take place at night so it would have less of an impact on street vendors.

“If they’re working in the day then how are we supposed to come here and who is going to help us survive,” Vazquez said.

Construction will happen in two phases

Phase 1

• Alvarado St. from W. 6th St. to Wilshire Blvd.
• S. Park View St. from Wilshire Blvd. to W. 6th St.
• Wilshire Blvd. from Alvarado St. to S. Park View St.

Phase 2

• Alvarado St. from Wilshire Blvd. to W. 7th St.
• S. Park View St. from W. 7th St. to Wilshire Blvd.
• Wilshire Blvd. from S. Park View St. to Alvarado St.
• W. 7th St. from Alvarado St. to S. Park View St.

Existing trees will be protected and monitored during the work, according to the Department of Recreation and Parks. Traffic control measures will be in place during work hours, and crews will post temporary “No Parking” signs near active work areas in advance.

Services at the park are expected to remain the same throughout construction. The schedule could change because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, according to the city.

The city has allocated $2.3 million for the project, but officials have not said whether that will cover the full cost.

After the fence is installed, the city plans a second phase focused on adding decorative elements. Officials have said residents will have an opportunity to provide input on the design.

Residents with questions or concerns about the project can contact Recreation and Parks at RAP.PublicInfo@lacity.org or 213-202-2700.

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