Are teens on ebikes the ‘new Hells Angels’? Not so fast, boomers

Experts say better regulation is needed but that bad press about ‘motorized menaces’ puts the ebike revolution at risk Beware, Americans: there’s a battery-powered threat cruising down beach paths, rolling up hiking trails and zipping along the streets of our cities. By now, you’ve probably seen footage on social media of teens racing along streets, popping wheelies and weaving around car traffic with reckless abandon. The Los Angeles Times recently dubbed them the “new Hells Angels”. Other news outlets have referred to them as “motorized menaces” terrorizing communities. Sounds scary. Continue reading...

Ryan Fonseca in Los Angeles · Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 7:00 AM
California | The Guardian

Are teens on ebikes the ‘new Hells Angels’? Not so fast, boomers

Experts say better regulation is needed but that bad press about ‘motorized menaces’ puts the ebike revolution at risk

Beware, Americans: there’s a battery-powered threat cruising down beach paths, rolling up hiking trails and zipping along the streets of our cities.

By now, you’ve probably seen footage on social media of teens racing along streets, popping wheelies and weaving around car traffic with reckless abandon. The Los Angeles Times recently dubbed them the “new Hells Angels”. Other news outlets have referred to them as “motorized menaces” terrorizing communities. Sounds scary.

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