December 19, 2025 – San Diego Police Department officials report that they’ve been on fire taking e-motos off our roads, but in this case, it was the e-moto that caught fire.

Officers attempted to stop a rider on an electric off-highway motorcycle (AKA “e-moto”) who fled, apparently thinking it was “just a bike.” After a short pursuit, the rider was taken into custody and the E-Motorcycle caught fire, prompting officers to briefly switch roles and handle firefighter duties by quickly extinguishing the flames.

Once the situation was under control, officers discovered the rider was carrying a large quantity of drugs, leading to multiple felony charges, including evading and drug sales.

Electric off-highway motorcycles are classified as motorcycles under California law, not bicycles, and fleeing on one is treated the same as fleeing in a car. What may start as a traffic stop can quickly lead to much more.

Learn more about e-bikes in San Diego: www.sandiego.gov/police/bike-safety.

Source & photos: San Diego Police Department