Orange County's E-Bike Buyback Draws 1,000 Vehicles in 2 Hours

When Jesse Hayes and his mom Kasey arrived at Angel Stadium on Sunday morning, they were making a choice for safety over speed. They joined nearly 1,000 Orange County residents who traded in e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric motorcycles for gift cards worth up to $1,000.

The line started forming at dawn, with the first participant showing up at midnight. Within two hours of opening, all $110,000 worth of gift cards had been claimed.

District Attorney Todd Spitzer said the response "exceeded our expectations in terms of turnout and demand." The vehicles filled nine 26-foot U-Haul trucks, representing what Spitzer called "1,000 fewer opportunities for a child to be seriously injured or killed on our streets."

The buyback worked like gun buyback programs, offering anonymous exchanges with no questions asked. Participants received Target, Walmart, and Dick's Sporting Goods gift cards ranging from $200 to $1,000 depending on their vehicle type.

The funding came from an unlikely source: money seized from criminal enterprises and earmarked for crime prevention. Most vehicles were Class 2 and Class 3 bikes capable of speeds up to 28 mph, worth $400 to $600 in gift cards.

Among the crowd were teens and young adults, including several who had crashed and gotten injured on their own e-bikes. The personal stories reflected a growing crisis: e-bike crashes in California jumped from 48 in 2020 to 1,366 in 2025, according to Highway Patrol data.

In Orange County alone, crashes rose from 34 to 347 in that same period, with three fatalities. The numbers tell a story of technology outpacing safety regulations and awareness.

The Ripple Effect

The buyback's success ripples beyond one Sunday event. Four stolen Bird scooters were identified and returned to the company, and the county will now recycle the lithium batteries responsibly while law enforcement keeps a few bikes for training purposes.

The overwhelming demand has already sparked plans for better organized future events. Spitzer's office is considering limiting participation to county residents and ensuring waiting participants have water and shade.

The turnout also amplified calls for stronger state legislation around e-bike safety. Young riders and concerned parents sent a clear message: they want safer alternatives and clearer rules for electric vehicles that have become increasingly common on streets and sidewalks.

Orange County residents showed up before sunrise to make their community safer, one e-bike at a time.