E-motos impounded, juvenile court involved

A Bloomfield Township Police Department officer was on routine patrol in the area of Covington Road and Oak Boulevard on Wednesday, October 2, at about 1 p.m. when the officer observed a motorcycle doing a wheelie on Covington Road.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and determined the motorcycle was an unregistered e-moto. The juvenile operator of the e-moto was not wearing a helmet and did not possess a driver’s license.

The juvenile was released to the parents and the e-moto was impounded.

Two days later Bloomfield Township police, at 4:56 p.m., observed five e-motos driving in the pedestrian crossing of Franklin Road. The juveniles were stopped and it was determined the e-motos were capable of traveling in excess of 30 MPH and did not have pedals.

The e-motos were impounded and the juveniles were turned over to their parents.

These cases have been referred to the Bloomfield Township Police Department’s School Liaison Officers for referral to the juvenile court.

The Bloomfield Township Police Departments is advising parents to be aware e-motos are considered motor vehicles under Michigan law and do not fall under the definition of an e-bike. E-motos require insurance, registration, a valid driver’s license, and the same equipment a motorcycle is equipped with.