𝗘-𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗘?: Police Impound Sur-Ron at Ocean Avenue Protest

SANTA MONICA, CA — Saturday, October 18, 2025 — Santa Monica Police officers impounded a Sur-Ron electric motorcycle during the No Kings Day protest along Ocean Avenue on Saturday morning, citing violations of California vehicle regulations. Officers stopped a rider operating the high-powered electric vehicle near the protest area and determined that the model did not meet California’s legal definition of an electric bicycle. The rider maintained that it was an e-bike and said he had been using it for more than a year without prior contact from law enforcement. Police informed the individual that the vehicle was classified as a motorcycle, not an e-bike, due to its design and speed capability. When asked, the rider acknowledged that he did not possess a motorcycle license. The officer issued a citation for operating a motorcycle without a valid license and ordered the vehicle impounded. A flatbed tow truck later arrived to remove the Sur-Ron from the scene. The impounded vehicle falls into a category of off-highway electric motorcycles that resemble bicycles but exceed state performance limits. These models often lack operable pedals, can reach speeds above 40 mph, and cannot be registered for street use—making them illegal to operate on public roads, sidewalks, or bike paths. While these bikes are marketed and styled to appear street legal, they do not qualify as electric bicycles under California law. Legal e-bikes must have functioning pedals and motors rated at no more than 750 watts. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are capped at 20 mph, while Class 3 pedal-assist models can reach 28 mph and are subject to helmet and age restrictions. Sur-Ron–style vehicles exceed these thresholds and are considered electric dirt bikes intended solely for off-road use. The Santa Monica Police Department has previously warned that enforcement against high-speed, unregistered electric vehicles will continue, particularly in high-traffic coastal areas where pedestrian safety and bike path congestion are ongoing concerns. Owners may retrieve impounded vehicles upon proof of ownership and payment of applicable towing and storage fees. 📞 For inquiries, the public may contact the Santa Monica Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit at (310) 458-8954. #SantaMonica #ElectricMotorcycle #SurRon #PoliceEnforcement #EbikeSafety #LawEnforcement — 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 This video is protected by copyright and provided for personal viewing only. Any copying, downloading, re-uploading, reproduction, distribution, sampling, or other use, including commercial or editorial use, without prior written authorization from Santa Monica Closeup is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇 / 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱. — 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica and the creator of 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. Known for his compelling imagery and neutral reporting, his work captures the pulse of the city—from civic affairs and emergency response to cultural moments and beach life. His photography has been showcased in galleries, museums, and public installations. — 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗨𝗣 PayPal 👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabia... Venmo 👉 https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup — 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 Instagram 👉   / santamonicacloseup   Facebook 👉   / santamonicacloseup   Twitter 👉   / smcloseup   — 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗦    / @santamonicacloseup   — 𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 Email 👉 [email protected] — 𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗦: Photojournalism, Visual Journalism, Street Reporting, Documentary, Observational Photography, Press Photography, Independent Media, Southern California News, SMCU, SM©U