Queen Creek braces for a summer of teens and e-bikes

With the summer school break almost here, Queen Creek leaders, police and residents are bracing for even more teens riding their e-bikes around town.

To that end, the Queen Creek Police Department has started a campaign to warn kids to follow the rules of the road when it comes to e-bikes.

“In recent weeks and months, we have seen an increase in juveniles operating e-bikes, riding unsafely, ignoring traffic laws, and in some cases attempting to flee from officers,” QCPD Chief Randy Brice stated in a department video on Facebook. “In many of these cases, there can be serious fines and even criminal charges that (parents/guardians) or your children could face.”

From January 2025 to April 2026, QCPD reports there were 1,834 calls for service regarding juvenile disturbances, including those involving e-bikes. From Jan. 1 through April, an estimated 20 e-bikes were impounded.

This is hardly a new concern for the town. In 2023, Queen Creek expanded its permitted use of motorized devices as part of an ordinance adopted into the town code.

“I know we are not alone and that this is an issue all over the Valley," Council Member Jeff Brown stated in a text. "I'm not advocating that kids shouldn't have fun or should be relegated to screen time or staying at home playing video games. It's just a small percentage that are riding in a manner that creates unsafe situations for themselves, for other motorists and for pedestrians." 

The town’s ordinance outlines the permissible operation of bicycles and other power-driven mobility devices throughout Queen Creek.

There are three types of e-bikes. All have motors under 750 watts and have factory-installed pedals that power the bikes. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes have a motor-assisted top speed of 20 mph and are allowed on sidewalks, multiuse trails, paths, streets and bike lanes. Class 3 e-bikes have a motor-assisted top speed of 28 mph and are only allowed on streets and bike lanes.

“Riders on the roadway must ride on the right side of the street or in the designated bike lane. Riders must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and equestrians when riding on sidewalks or multiuse trails and paths,” Brice stated. “At night, all of these devices must have white light at the front and a red reflector or light on the rear and a functional brake is required."

The chief also focused on motor-driven vehicles with motors of 750 watts or higher, with or without pedals.

Riders of such vehicles must have a class M license or endorsement, registration and insurance, and helmets for riders under 18.

As with the three classes of e-bikes, motor-driven vehicles must have a front white light, a rear red light or reflector and a functioning brake.

Motor-driven vehicles are prohibited on sidewalks and multiuse trails and paths and must follow all traffic laws.

Brice noted that vehicles sold as electric scooters are considered motor-driven cycles if they weigh more than 75 pounds or go over 20 mph.

“Riding without proper licensing, registration or insurance, or operating on sidewalks and trails can lead to reckless driving charges and other serious consequences,” Brice stated. “And you may also face citations for contributing to the delinquency of a minor under Arizona law.”

For information on what types of motor-driven vehicles are permitted and where, visit www.QueenCreekAZ.gov/MotorizedDevices.

Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org. Please send your comments about this article to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.