Fourth of July in Petaluma got an unexpected sideshow when a police motorcycle officer ended up chasing a 12-year-old riding a gas-powered minibike through parts of the city, authorities said. The pursuit ended after the boy crashed, was taken into custody, and then released to his parents. Officers described his injuries as not serious. The chase briefly tangled traffic near downtown and drew several patrol units to the area.
Police say the incident started when officers tried to pull the minibike over at Madison and Payran streets and the young rider allegedly refused to stop. The officer followed with lights and sirens through city streets until the minibike went down near Wilson Street and East Washington Street, according to SFGATE. Officers later arrested the juvenile at the Lakeville Street SMART station on allegations that include resisting a peace officer, evading a peace officer and operating a motor vehicle as an unlicensed driver. Police said the minibike was gas-powered and that no life-threatening injuries were reported.
How The Pursuit Unfolded
According to KRON4, the motorcycle officer ditched the bike and continued the chase on foot after the crash, then detained the juvenile at the nearby SMART station. Police told reporters the situation was treated as a juvenile matter and that the boy was released to his parents later that same day. Authorities did not immediately say whether any other vehicles or bystanders were involved in the collision.
Broader Concerns About High-Powered Two-Wheelers
Law enforcement agencies across the Bay Area have been sounding the alarm about underage riders on powerful e-motorcycles and minibikes. One recent case in Danville involved a 12-year-old who was cited after allegedly hitting speeds of up to 45 mph, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. A regional CBS investigation into e-motorcycles on the Iron Horse Trail helped spur local police chiefs and state lawmakers to push for clearer rules and tougher enforcement, as CBS San Francisco reported. Officials say these machines can look like ordinary bicycles but operate much more like motorcycles, which they argue creates confusion for both parents and young riders.
Legal Notes
Petaluma police said the 12-year-old was cited on counts that include resisting a peace officer, evading a peace officer and operating a motor vehicle as an unlicensed driver, according to a department statement to SFGATE. The department added that the boy was released to his parents following the arrest.
With summer in full swing and more kids out riding, local officials and safety advocates say they are keeping a close eye on how underage use of these fast two-wheelers plays out on neighborhood streets and popular trails.
