Electric bikes and electric motorbikes, or e-motorbikes, have become a common sight on and around the school campus early the 2025-2026 school year, raising safety concerns from the general public.
While e-bikes have pedals and tend to max speed of 35 mph, e-motorbikes can have max speed of up to 70 mph and are more similar to electric motorcycles. Many of the teens that are riding these e-motorbikes around Ashburn are under 14 years of age and without supervision, do not wear helmets, and do not follow the rules of the road—all of which are prohibited under Virginia Code 46.2-904.1.
“We’re seeing more people putting themselves and others at risk by riding fast-moving motorized devices without helmets, on sidewalks where they’re not allowed, and carrying passengers on equipment made for one,” Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said in a statement released by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. “We have seen this result is a serious injury, and all of this is preventable if all riders are more careful and follow the law.”
In response to the increase in usage and rider injuries, the sheriff’s department released a pamphlet about the laws and safety concerns regarding e-motorbikes. However, most riders do not know the dangers or laws surrounding e-motorbikes and only see the vehicles as another way to get around. Under the Virginia Code, any e-motorbike that is driven on the road is considered a motorized vehicle and must obey the traffic rules. Currently, numerous e-motorbike riders are running red lights, popping wheelies, cutting people off, and speeding. The Sheriff’s Department has also tried to stop riders from exhibiting dangerous behaviors on the road more directly by pulling riders over in popular areas like Brambleton.
“Sometimes [riders are pulled over for] not wearing a helmet or going too fast, like above the speed limit, and just being dangerous and cutting people off,” freshman Ayva Agno, who knows several e-motorbike riders, said.
Students frequently ride to school using e-motorbikes. School administrators want to make sure that riders are being safe.
“The administration is in the process of working with kids while they’re on school property for their safety to make sure that they are riding e-motorbikes at a safe speed and wearing the proper helmets to make them safe on campus,” Campus Security Officer Jim Dzurilla said.
E-motorbikes can be a convenient way for unlicensed individuals to get around, especially in an area that is not built for pedestrians. Still, state laws must be followed for the safety of riders, drivers and pedestrians.
“I just want to be able to make sure that everybody is being safe out here,” Master Deputy of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Terry Rudolph said to NBC4 Washington.
