Can you ride a minibike on LA streets? Here's what the law says

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.”