Why Police Pursuits Of Ebike Riders Are Rising In Minnesota

A Minnesota city seems to be dealing with an e-bike problem. I saw a video on X the other night that highlights a police pursuit in which the wanted suspects were joy-riding on e-bikes. While the suspects didn't stop for police, it seems there is a growing problem with e-bikes in this Minnesota community.

Failure To Comply With Local Police Becoming An Issue

It's important to note that, as in the video above, where South Lake Minnetonka Police were chasing some e-bikers, not stopping for a police officer can be considered a felony.

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South Minnetonka Is Not The Only MN City To Be Dealing With This

Excelsior, Shorewood, and Tonka Bay are other cities in the area that are dealing with the 'glut' of e-bikes. The problem many people say they have with the electric bikes is that kids and teens riding them don't follow the rules of the road, meaning that driver are worried that injury or even death could occur if someone isn't paying attention.

Excelsior looked to limit some of the problems by passing a helmet ordinance, and according to this Fox 9 story from June 19th, it seems to have helped some, but like in the video above, you can see it's still an issue.

Where Are E-Bikes Allowed To Ride In MN?

According to a state statute:

A person may operate an electric-assisted bicycle in the same manner as provided for operation of other bicycles, including but not limited to operation on the shoulder of a roadway, a bicycle lane, and a bicycle route, and operation without the motor engaged on a bikeway or bicycle trail.

So when you are asking the question where e-bikes can operate, the answer seems to be 'anywhere'. But that doesn't mean the rider doesn't follow the laws surrounding riding a bicycle, electric or not, in Minnesota.

Not An Known Issue Yet In St. Cloud

As far as I can tell, e-bikes don't seem like a real 'issue' here in Central Minnesota, but as they grow in popularity, I'm sure it will be addressed by the cities on a case-by-case basis.