Monument Police Department proposes possible fine for parents regarding illegal e-motorcycle use

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Monument Police Department proposed new ordinance measures to regulate illegal e-motorcycle and dirt bike use at Tuesday night's town council meeting.

The proposed ordinance measures are as follows, according to a presentation from Tuesday night's meeting:

Public-Property Prohibition
Prohibited motorized devices may not be operated on Town-owned, Town-operated, Town-maintained, or Town-controlled property unless otherwise authorized by law.

Parent Accountability
A proportional $250 municipal civil option when a parent or legal guardian knowingly causes, authorizes, permits, or allows unlawful operation by a minor.

Impoundment and Discretion
Discretionary impoundment when one or more listed factors exists, including unlawful operation, failure to stop, crash involvement, reckless or repeat conduct, prior warning, public-safety necessity, or evidence preservation.

Several residents showed up tonight in support of these measures, and councilmembers seemed to all agree that this is an issue worth looking into.

“It’s definitely frequent enough that our officers are bringing this forward as a concern with our e-motos and other off-road vehicles that are on the street,” said Monument Police Department (MPD) Lt. Mitch Mihalko.

Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes are all legal in Colorado when they meet Colorado requirements, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

However, what’s allowed and not allowed can be confusing. Sometimes, products advertised as lawful e-bikes do not fit the definition under state regulations, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

According to CDOT, if the vehicle exceeds 28 mph and/or has more than 750 watts of power, it is an e-motorcycle. These require a driver’s license, registration and insurance. They are also prohibited on bike paths and sidewalks.

MPD says there is a possibility of a misdemeanor being charged to the parents of minors unlawfully operating these vehicles.

However, MPD said that charging a criminal offense is a bit excessive for what they are trying to enforce.

“The parental accountability piece of this gives us the ability to instead, have a more reasonable civil infraction component of the ordinance,” Lt. Mihalko said.

MPD said they want to focus on educating parents and riders before they make a purchase — and then enforce when it’s necessary.

“Whether it be working with the schools, potentially working with other businesses, and getting this information out, so it’s accessible and available to our community, I think is key,” Lt. Mihalko said.

A drafted ordinance could be ready for review by the Monument Town Council as soon as the next council meeting on September 21.

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