After a rise in serious and deadly crashes involving electric bikes, Orange County officials are taking an unusual approach by treating some e-bikes like firearms. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will host an e-bike buyback program in September, modeled after gun buyback events commonly organized by law enforcement agencies. The program will offer between $200 and $1,000 for each qualifying e-bike, with no questions asked. A promotional flier describes the event as an effort to “buy back safety.” Authorities say some electric bikes, particularly high-powered e-motorcycles, can pose serious dangers and potentially become deadly weapons when operated recklessly. Officials are especially concerned about children riding e-motorcycles capable of reaching speeds above 40 miles per hour. The buyback program is part of a broader effort to address growing concerns about dangerous e-bike use across Orange County. Officials hope removing high-powered and potentially illegal vehicles from the streets will reduce crashes, injuries, and other safety risks involving young riders and pedestrians.
