“E-Moto” Safety Assessment
San Ramon Valley Middle Schools
Prepared by Danville Safety Advocates
June 10, 2025

These Are Not Bicycles — They Are Electric Motorcycles

"E-Moto" Safety Assessment San Ramon Valley Middle Schools (June 10, 2025)(PDF)

Executive Summary

On May 21, 2025, Danville Safety Advocates conducted a safety survey across middle school campuses within the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD). What we observed was alarming: over 200 high-powered, throttle-assisted electric motorcycles—commonly referred to as “E-Motos”—were parked in student bike corrals. TV New Story: 70 E-Motos at Stone Valley Middle School (Photo above: Diablo Vista Middle School)

These are not bicycles. They are electric motorcycles traveling 30+ mph without any pedaling—well beyond the limits allowed for Class 2 e-bikes under California law. They are legally classified as motor vehicles, requiring DMV registration, insurance, and a valid driver’s license to operate—along with safety features such as lights, mirrors, and turn signals.

Yet these machines are being marketed and sold to families as if they were ordinary bicycles. As a result, we’re witnessing a dangerous surge in illegal use by middle school children—many as young as 11—who are neither licensed nor physically prepared to handle vehicles of this power.

The consequences are no longer hypothetical. 12yr old Boy Riding Super 73 Hits & Kills 66 yr old Woman in Forida.  Hospitals across the Bay Area, including Marin and Contra Costa counties, are reporting a dramatic rise in serious injuries—broken bones, head trauma, and long-term neurological damage—among youth riding these so-called “e-bikes.” Families often don’t realize until it’s too late that these vehicles are electric motorcycles in disguise. This is a public safety crisis hiding in plain sight. The need for clear parental guidance, school policy intervention, and community-wide awareness has never been more urgent.

Key Findings

  • Many observed vehicles—including brands like Ride1Up, Super73, Ridstar, Onyx, and Lyric—are capable of 30 to 54 mph. E-Moto Slide Show at Local Middle Schools
  • These machines exceed legal e-bike specifications and fall under the classification of motor-driven cycles, requiring formal regulation.
  • At Stone Valley Middle School, E-Moto use rose from 52 to 70 in just three months.
  • Charlotte Wood Middle School saw a 105% increase, from 17 to 35 E-Motos.
  • Diablo Vista Middle School counted 37 E-Motos in one morning.

Why This Matters: Public Safety Risks

Children under 16 are not legally allowed to operate these vehicles. Many of the E-Motos weigh close to 100 pounds and can accelerate to 35mph within a few seconds—posing serious danger to the riders, their peers, and pedestrians. E-Moto Injuries & Fatalities

Injury data is sobering:

These are not toys. They are motor vehicles, often misrepresented as bikes due to misleading marketing and inadequate enforcement.  Watch our E-Moto" Public Service Announcement to learn more.

                     The Super 73 Problem

The leading brand in this space is Super73. It markets its products to teens, boasts top speeds of 35 mph, and encourages riders to skip pedaling altogether.

Although technically outfitted with pedals to skirt regulation, these vehicles are throttle-powered motorcycles in disguise. Read the Lawsuit Filed in Marin County Superior Court: Super 73 (February 10, 2025) (PDF)

Industry Warnings and Regulatory Loopholes

Even the bicycle industry itself is raising alarms:

“These products are often advertised misleadingly and sold to the public as ‘e-bikes’... but are not legal electric bicycles. They represent a threat.”
—Source: People for Bikes Presentatiion to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (2023)

Trade publications agree:

“What many families are buying are noncompliant motor-driven cycles... capable of 25 to 35+ mph, all throttle-controlled, mostly from Chinese distributors and white-label brands.”
— Source: Bicycle Retailer Magazine, May 2022

The Education Gap

Most parents do not realize what they have purchased. Between vague product descriptions and aggressive marketing, many believe they are buying a safe, legal mobility device—when in fact, they have purchased an unregulated motor vehicle.

This is not just a legal issue—it is an education failure. If students and families are not given clear, accessible information, they cannot make safe decisions.

A Call to Action: Education

Danville Safety Advocates strongly recommends that SRVUSD launch a districtwide education campaign to close the knowledge gap and protect our students. This should include:

When students understand their responsibilities, and when parents are informed, our entire community becomes safer.

A Message to Parents: Know What Your Child Is Riding

If your child is under 16, they cannot legally operate an E-Moto. These vehicles are heavy, powerful, and potentially lethal in the wrong hands. Parents get the facts before buying your child an E-Moto. They require:

  • A valid driver’s license
  • DMV registration
  • Proof of insurance
  • Safety features like lights and turn signals

Let’s Lead with Clarity and Responsibility

SRVUSD is in a unique position to lead—not just in managing this issue, but in setting a statewide example for how to educate families and respond to emerging mobility risks.

By prioritizing clear communication, smart policy, and community engagement, we can change the course of this trend and safeguard our schools. For example: Letter to Parents explaining the Super 73 Problem in the San Ramon Valley

Let’s teach our students how to approach powerful technologies with maturity, awareness, and respect for the law.

These are NOT bicycles! They are Electric Motorcycles….

Final Note

This is a pivotal moment for school safety in our region. With the right information, tools, and leadership, we can address this issue head-on—and prevent tragedy before it strikes.

For more parent and school “E-Moto” resources, news stories and videos visit: Danville Safety Advocates Webpage

Acknowledgments

We extend our sincere thanks to the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) for its collaboration, transparency, and unwavering focus on student safety. Danville Safety Advocates was privileged to partner with district leaders, principals, and school staff to conduct this safety assessment.

This report represents a shared commitment: when it comes to protecting children, we must act together, and we must act now. We encourage every parent to know the facts before allowing your child to ride an "E-Moto."

Sincerely,
Danville Safety Advocates                                                                                                                                    Leadership Team: Alan Kalin, Bruce Bilodeau, Jeff Eorio, Todd Gary, Kyle Smith and John Dowey