A juvenile was arrested Saturday after allegedly riding an e-bike recklessly, fleeing officers and providing a false name, according to the Reedley Police Department.

An officer observed the juvenile performing wheelies on an e-bike near 10th Street and the Rails to Trails area while vehicles were nearby, police said. Reedley City Ordinance prohibits operating an e-conveyance in an unsafe manner, including acrobatics, wheelies or stunts when vehicles and pedestrians are present, police said.

Police said the officer attempted to stop the juvenile, but the rider fled and accelerated through several stop signs without stopping. Because of concerns about the juvenile’s driving behavior and public safety, the officer did not continue the pursuit.

A second officer later spotted the juvenile and attempted another stop, but the rider again accelerated away, according to police. Officers then converged on the juvenile’s last known location and safely detained him.

The juvenile was arrested on allegations of reckless driving, obstruction, and providing a false name.

During the investigation, officers determined the e-bike was a Class 3 model and that the juvenile was not old enough to legally operate it, police said. The e-bike was impounded for 30 days.

The Reedley Police Department used the incident to remind parents that e-bikes are powerful e-conveyances and that juveniles riding them face a higher risk of serious crashes and injuries than riders of traditional bicycles.

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