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ST. GEORGE — As the popularity of electric bicycles continues to surge across the country, multiple law enforcement agencies have responded to reports of teenagers and young adults riding recklessly on streets and evading officers, prompting changes in how these incidents are handled in Washington County.
Despite efforts by local police departments to address the issue, the problem has continued to escalate. In response, officers have taken a more proactive approach by strategically mobilizing resources and working with agencies county-wide to send a clear message: reckless behavior will not be tolerated.
Last week, St. George News met with Washington Police Lt. Kory Klotz, St. George Police Sgt. Jeremy Needles and officer Tiffany Mitchell at the Washington Police Department to discuss the issue. Some of this dangerous behavior has been captured in videos that depict riders as young as 6 or 7 riding on city streets, as well as large groups of unlicensed juveniles riding with adults who appear to be actively participating in reckless activities. And these videos have been circulating on social media.
Officers are also finding elementary and middle school-aged children riding electric motorcycles to school, including the popular brand "Surron," which can reach speeds of 40 to 50 mph or even higher. These motorbikes are designed for off-road use, so they lack side mirrors and other safety features mandatory for road use.
