Parents cited for kids’ reckless driving of electric motorcycles in Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Neb. —

Law enforcement across the state is cracking down on the reckless driving of non-street-legal electric vehicles.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has put out numerous educational posts on social media and has been canvassing the community proactively and when they receive complaints. Now, they said their efforts are starting to make an impact.

Overall, the sheriff’s office said forms of electric motorcycles, like dirt bikes and minibikes, are causing the most issues. These forms of electric vehicles typically do not have pedals and are meant specifically for off-roading. They are not street or sidewalk legal.

“We’re seeing them pretty much everywhere throughout the county,” Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputy Bryan Jirak said. “Main roads, we see them on highways, city streets. Kids have been seriously hurt because they’re out riding these kinds of vehicles, where they’re not supposed to be.”

Since May 1 of this year, the sheriff’s office said they’ve received 232 complaints specifically about electric motorcycles, typically being driven in neighborhoods.

“Kids that are just driving all over the place,” Jirak said. “They’re not familiar with the rules of the road. They’re not paying attention to other cars. Other people walking and things like that.”

It’s a hobby that’s growing in popularity but is creating dangerous situations county-wide.

Deputies warn that they take complaints seriously and actions have consequences.

“We’ve had numerous kids that have had their bikes impounded. Some of them have been cited for different traffic offenses that they’ve been committing,” Jirak said.

However, it’s not only kids being held responsible.

“If the parents are aware of what they’re doing, then they’ve been the parents have been getting cited as well,” Jirak said.

In May and June combined, 18 electric motorcycles have been impounded and six parents have been cited by the sheriff’s office.

Their message to the community this summer is simple: do your research and be careful.

“If they are not meant for being on the road, they’re going to say it in plain language,” Jirak said. “Be mindful of the kinds of things that your kids are doing. Kids. Be mindful of traffic and other people that are out there.”

Since starting to ticket drivers and parents and patrol neighborhoods more, the sheriff’s office said they’ve seen a slight dip in complaints the last couple of weeks.

If you see a dangerous situation, you can always call 911 or submit a tip directly to the sheriff’s office by calling 402-444-6000.