A juvenile riding an electric motorcycle was seriously hurt Friday after running a stop sign and getting hit by a vehicle at East 119th Avenue and Jasper Street, according to Commerce City police.
Police say the city’s Traffic Team responded to the collision, and the young rider was taken to a local hospital with multiple serious bodily injuries. Officers temporarily shut down the intersection while detectives processed the scene, and the investigation remains active.
According to the Commerce City Police Department, the crash involved an e-motorcycle and a vehicle and happened after the juvenile rider failed to stop at the posted sign. The department said the rider suffered several serious bodily injuries and added that it intends to cite the rider’s parents for negligence as part of its enforcement response.
How Colorado law treats e-bikes and e-motorcycles
Colorado law draws a clear line between pedal-assisted e-bikes and higher-powered electric motorcycles. E-bikes are capped at 750 watts and sorted into Class 1-3, with top assisted speeds between about 20 and 28 mph. More powerful electric motorcycles, often called “e-motos,” are treated as motor vehicles that may require registration, insurance, and a driver’s license.
That distinction can be confusing for parents and young buyers, since some fast, dirt-bike-style electric rides look like bicycles but accelerate much faster than a typical e-bike. For a deeper dive into the rules and terminology, see reporting from CPR News and the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Enforcement and parental responsibility
In its post, the Commerce City Police Department said officers plan to cite the rider’s parents for negligence, noting that these high-power machines are not allowed on city streets or sidewalks. Municipal guides, such as the City and County of Broomfield’s e-ride guide, explain that vehicles exceeding e-bike limits or lacking functional pedals are classified as mopeds or motorcycles and can bring fines and civil exposure when minors are allowed to operate them. Those local enforcement choices are intended to discourage adults from buying or lending high-power e-motos to underage riders.
Investigation and how to share tips
Commerce City’s Traffic Team continues to investigate the crash, and detectives are gathering evidence and witness statements. Anyone with video or information that could help is asked to call the non-emergency dispatch line at 303-288-1535, according to the Commerce City Police Department.
The collision comes as local agencies have been grappling with an uptick in serious two-wheel crashes; another major Commerce City wreck recently drew a Traffic Team response, as per Hoodline.
The department’s post ended with a public wish for the young rider’s speedy recovery. This story will be updated as officials release additional details.
