On Friday, June 5, 2026, the Murrieta Police Department issued 25 citations, impounded 7 e-bikes, and recovered one stolen e-bike during an enforcement and education operation at Cole Canyon Park, according to the department's news release.
Cole Canyon Operation, June 5, 2026
The operation was a planned multi-unit response to a social media "Ride Out" event that officers had uncovered ahead of time, the department stated. Personnel came from the Traffic Unit, the Community Policing Team, the Special Enforcement Team, and the Unmanned Aerial System Drone Team. Officers also provided education to riders and parents on lawful operation alongside the citations and impounds.
Mayor Jon Levell said the bikes officers seized "are not street legal," adding that the city wants "young riders to enjoy the benefits of e-bikes, but they must do so responsibly and within the law," per the city's news flash. California's 2026 e-bike rules for families are covered in our guide.
Council Direction on June 2
The crackdown followed direction from the City Council three days earlier. At its June 2, 2026 meeting, the council told staff to be aggressive in enforcing applicable e-bike laws, to expand public education, and to continue strengthening local regulations, the city reported.
The department's case for that direction rests on two years of data: approximately 1,300 calls for service and complaints related to e-bikes, plus 78 traffic collisions that injured 75 people and caused one fatality. The practical takeaway for families is that this was not just a warning stop: Murrieta PD says officers issued citations, impounded bikes they identified as illegal, and recovered one stolen e-bike.
