Complaints About E-Vehicle Operators Are Beginning to Get Police Attention
By Rick McCann/Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
April 14, 2026
GULF SHORES, Ala. During the past week we have kept an eye on city streets from Gulf Shores to Spanish Fort and even across the bay into Mobile County looking for e-bike riders.
Complaints have begun coming into some local police departments about the reckless operations of the bike operators and some area residents and even visitors have been sharing their frustrations across social media.
We have talked with police in Baldwin and Mobile Counties and surprisingly, police say that they have not received many complaints, and only two wrecks involving the bikes have been reported during the past sixty days, but police also said that wrecks are happening, they’re just not being reported to law enforcement.
However, there are several hotspots where problems do exist including in the beach communities and in Fairhope.
Gulf Shores Police Chief Dan Netemeyer shared with us that not only e-bikes but also “e-motos” (electric motorcycles) are the subject of frequent complaints by both residents and visitors to the city.
A new ordinance in Gulf Shores passed recently addresses the responsibility of businesses who rent these electric vehicles and Chief Netemeyer hopes that will help to educate those renting these vehicles about their operations and the laws that must be adhered to.
Fairhope also seems to have a bit of an issue with e-bikes, scooters and other electric riding machines and some residents there have called for stricter enforcement after witnessing numerous reckless and careless riders who zip in and out of traffic without concerns for their safety or that of others. Police did not say whether or not they have been called to any e-bike accidents.
Police said that there have been reports of speeding, popping wheelies and riding through crowded zones which is prompting a proposed ordinance aimed at improving safety for riders and walkers. The measure would set clearer operating standards and allow the city to designate no-ride zones and establish speed limits in high-traffic areas.
Police would also be authorized to confiscate devices used dangerously. First-time violations would start at $250, with higher penalties for repeat offenses.
If passed, this ordinance would also require helmets for riders under 18.
Fairhope police also noted that under Alabama law, e-bikes follow the same rules as traditional bicycles — and parents could be held responsible if their children are riding recklessly.
Fairhope Police Chief Stephanie Hollinghead told the City Council that impounding a device could create an opportunity to involve parents and reinforce safe riding expectations. “If we take or impound the bike and bring it back to the station, this gives us an opportunity to talk to parents and to educate the kids on what they can and can’t do,” Chief Hollinghead said.
Chief Hollinghead said the department is also considering using school resource officers to educate students on riding safety before the school year ends.
This proposed ordinance would exclude wheelchairs or mobility devices used by people with disabilities.
Police in other areas of the state and nationwide are also receiving frequent complaints about reckless riding, trespassing onto private property and disobeying traffic laws and have begun citing operators and impounding their electronic vehicles.
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