‘Lawless’ e-bikers planned Florida street takeover but police were ready, cops say
Illegal street takeovers typically involve souped-up cars performing dangerous stunts in traffic, but one Florida city says it busted a “lawless” street takeover by bikers.
Not motorcyclists, mind you. Police say these were people on e-bikes, which are bicycles fitted with electric motors to make pedaling easier.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department says social media posts revealed a “planned e-bike street takeover” was set for the second weekend of August on SW Village Parkway.
“Officers with our Traffic Unit were prepared. They located the group of about 50 participants as they began to show up at the meet location, some from as far as Palm Beach and Tampa, including juveniles and adults,” police said in an Aug. 12 news release.
“Multiple participants were turned away and warned as they arrived with their e-dirt bikes on trailers. Our message is clear, lawless street takeovers will not be tolerated in Port St. Lucie!”
Three people were arrested on charges including fleeing and eluding police, having no driver’s license and operating an unregistered motorcycle, police said.
Six criminal traffic citations were issued for operating unregistered motor vehicles on roadways and 15 citations were written up “for various traffic violations.”
Eight e-dirt bikes were seized and towed away on the back of a truck, police said.
Maps show the intended location for the takeover at SW Village Parkway and SW Crosstown Parkway is an expansive intersection of four-lane roads with grass medians.
Tampa police report they thwarted a similar street takeover around 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 13. It’s estimated 200 riders on bikes, scooters, e-bikes and dirt bikes were “blocking traffic and riding recklessly,” Tampa police said. Details of arrests were not released.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department’s Aug. 12 Facebook post about the case had 2,700 reactions and comments within a day, some critical of police and others making fun of the suspects’ sense of adventure.
“Lol, e-bike take over! This Harley Riding Girl has had her laugh for the whole year!” VL Lynn posted on the department’s Facebook page.
“All get our golf carts and try it,” Bonnie Shaw Croteau wrote.
“Oh yes, people on electric bikes are such dangerous criminals,” Filius Mortis Shotts said.
Port St. Lucie is about a 115-mile drive north from Miami.
This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 6:29 AM with the headline "‘Lawless’ e-bikers planned Florida street takeover but police were ready, cops say."