Local police and parks officials across Northern Virginia are working to raise awareness of how to safely ride and share paths with electric bicycles in response to reported upticks in complaints about reckless behavior.
Over the past month, the Vienna Police Department has been sharing information about safe and legal riding practices, while also stepping up patrols in areas where concerns have cropped up as part of an E-Bike Safety Awareness Campaign launched on May 29.
“The Department has received concerns from residents regarding unsafe and reckless e-bike riding in and around parks, trails, neighborhoods, and school areas,” the VPD said in a press release when announcing the campaign. “Like many communities across the country, Vienna has seen an increase in complaints involving excessive speeds, traffic violations, and unsafe riding behaviors.”
Vienna police didn’t provide specific numbers in terms of how many complaints it’s receiving, because that data is being collected in conjunction with the enforcement and educational components of the campaign, spokesperson Irving Rodriguez told FFXnow.
“We’ve received a variety of complaints and concerns related to e-bikes and similar devices over the past year, and we’re currently reviewing that information to identify trends, locations, and other relevant details,” Rodriguez said.
Just last week, officers conducted three different traffic stops after seeing juveniles riding electric-powered bikes that aren’t permitted, according to the VPD’s most recent weekly incident report, covering June 12-18:
Traffic Stop/ E-Bike Investigation 2026-006582
128 Center St S
June 15, 3:04 p.m.
Officers conducted a traffic stop after observing a juvenile operating what appeared to be an illegal dirt bike or e-bike on the roadway. The investigation revealed the vehicle was an electric dirt bike with no pedals, throttle-only operation, a speedometer, and a reported top speed of 40 mph. Officers educated the juvenile and guardian on licensing and registration requirements, and the juvenile was released to the guardian after walking the off-road vehicle from the area.Traffic Stop/ E-Bike Investigation 2026-006660
Cherry St SE / Center St S
June 17, 12:32 p.m.
Officers conducted a traffic stop after observing a juvenile operating an electric dirt bike and performing a wheelie on Cherry St SE. The investigation revealed the bike was not a lawful e-bike for roadway use and had a reported top speed of approximately 40 mph. Officers educated the juvenile and guardian on the law, counseled the juvenile on unsafe riding behavior, and the juvenile was released to the guardian.Traffic Stop / E-Bike Investigation 2026-006597
100 Block Park St SE
June 17, 5:35 p.m.
Officers conducted a traffic stop after observing a juvenile operating what appeared to be an electric dirt bike on the sidewalk without a helmet. The juvenile did not stop immediately but was later stopped by officers, and the investigation found the e-bike did not meet the criteria for a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 electric power-assisted bicycle. A guardian responded, took custody of the juvenile and e-bike, and both were educated on e-bike regulations, off-road style electric dirt bikes, classification requirements, and helmet use.
What’s allowed in Virginia
Virginia law generally permits electric power-assisted bikes in the same places as traditional, non-electric bicycles, including on streets, sidewalks, bicycle lanes and trails.
However, rules can vary depending on the speed and class of the bike. In the U.S., e-bikes are grouped into three classifications:
- Class 1: pedal-assisted with a top speed of 20 mph
- Class 2: can be powered by pedal or a throttle with a top speed of 20 mph
- Class 3: pedal-assisted, but can reach up to 28 mph
Because they can reach the fastest speeds, riders must be at least 14 years old and wear a helmet to use a Class 3 e-bike, according to a safety guide released by Fairfax County.
Virginia gives localities the authority to regulate e-bikes on trails and prohibit Class 3 devices on shared-use paths in their jurisdiction. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes can also be barred from shared-use paths if the locality holds a public hearing and “finds that such a restriction is necessary for public safety or compliance with other laws.”
E-bikes that can go up to 20 mph are allowed on the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, but like Vienna police, NOVA Parks — the regional authority that owns and manages the 45-mile-long trail — has noticed a recent surge in safety-related complaints.
“We have certainly received an increase in complaints regarding unsafe behavior on the trail, including e-bikes, scooters and other motorized devices,” Kelly Gilfillen, NOVA Parks director of marketing and communications, told FFXnow. “We are working closely with local public safety agencies to monitor and address safety concerns in W&OD Park.”
Among other concerns, trail officials have been grappling with more people, particularly youth, riding high-powered, motorized bikes that may look like e-bikes but don’t legally fall into that category due to their higher speeds and reliance on a motor.
To address that issue, which mirrors nationwide trends, NOVA Parks has partnered with local law enforcement and park agencies to educate the public on what is and isn’t allowed, Park Operations Superintendent Kevin Casalenuovo says.
“We want only what is allowed by VA law” on the W&OD Trail, he said. “This would be a class 1 or class 2 e-bike with 20 mph top speed.”
Trend of increased complaints varies by locality
In addition to the Vienna police and Fairfax County government, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Herndon Police Department, Fairfax County Police Department and Reston Association, which maintains over 55 miles of trails in Reston, have all shared guides in the past month explaining e-bike rules, safety guidelines and the differences between legal and illegal bikes.
As of last Wednesday (June 17), Loudoun County has received 188 complaints related to e-bikes this year, the sheriff’s office told WUSA9. Thirty-two complaints were sent in within 24 hours after the office launched an online form specifically to collect concerns about e-bikes.
E-bike complaints haven’t plagued all police departments equally, with both the FCPD and Herndon police telling FFXnow that they haven’t received a noticeable uptick in calls or complaints.
Even so, the FCPD says it shared educational materials with Fairfax County Public Schools that could be distributed to families prior to summer break, which started last Thursday (June 18).
“These materials emphasize safe and lawful operation of bicycles and e-bikes and encourage parents to discuss safety expectations with their children before riding,” the department’s public affairs office said. “The Fairfax County Police Department will continue working with community partners, schools, and residents to promote safe and responsible use of bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and other micro-mobility devices throughout Fairfax County.”
Herndon police spokesperson Lisa Herndon noted that the department monitors the W&OD Trail, which cuts through the downtown area, for “illegal activity,” but officers don’t patrol specifically to monitor bike etiquette and rules.
The difference in experiences with e-bikes reported by Herndon and Vienna police appears to track with observations by NOVA Parks. According to Casalenuovo, e-bike sightings on the W&OD Trail have largely correlated with the density of the surrounding population.
“More people on our eastern segments means more e-bikes and more chance of user conflict,” he said, noting that the increase in people riding e-bikes on the trail has been “a slow build … over the last few years” as the bikes have gotten cheaper and more widely available.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has added 260 electric bicycles to its Capital Bikeshare network over the past three years, according to the county. While those bikes still make up only 17% of the overall fleet, they account for 49% of all trips, suggesting high demand.
According to the county, e-bikes have become a popular mode of transportation, because the battery assist makes them easier for many people to use than traditional bicycles, helping riders navigate hills and encouraging longer and more frequent trips. That makes them a viable, more environmentally friendly alternative for local travel than cars or other personal vehicles.
“As e‑bikes become more common, drivers are encountering them more frequently, sometimes in ways that feel sudden or unpredictable,” the county’s safety guide said, advising drivers to obey crosswalks, anticipate higher speeds and faster acceleration from e-bikes than they would for a regular bicycle, and be patient around younger riders who might not be familiar with the rules of the road.
As its e-bike safety awareness campaign continues, the Vienna Police Department has been discussing organizing a community event with NOVA Parks along the W&OD to promote safe use of the trail.
Details are still being finalized, but the event would likely involve police officers and park staff handing out materials, answering questions and otherwise engaging with trail users.
“Depending on community interest and participation, we’re hopeful this won’t be limited to a single event,” Rodriguez, the VPD public information officer, said. “We’d like to explore additional opportunities throughout the summer and early fall to engage with trail users, provide education, and continue the conversation about safe and responsible trail use.”
