BEND, Ore. (Oct. 3, 2026) — A 13-year-old Bend boy was critically injured Friday night after the Surron e-motorcycle he was riding collided with a minivan at an intersection in Bend, according to police.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:58 p.m. Oct. 2 at NE 27th Street and NE Neff Road.
Bend Police said an investigation determined a white Dodge minivan was traveling northbound on NE 27th Street when the driver attempted to turn left onto westbound Neff Road.
The driver, a 51-year-old Bend man, turned into the path of the Surron, which was traveling southbound on NE 27th Street at a high rate of speed, police said.
The impact threw the 13-year-old rider from the e-motorcycle.
The boy suffered critical injuries. Officers believe he was wearing a helmet.
According to police, the Surron involved in the crash is capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 50 mph and is not street legal.
The minivan driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police said he was not cited.
Oregon laws address e-bikes and electric scooters
The crash comes as Oregon lawmakers have continued to address the use of electric bicycles, electric scooters and other powered micromobility devices.
Oregon law divides qualifying electric-assisted bicycles into three classes. Class 1 e-bikes provide motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling and are limited to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes can be propelled by a motor without pedaling and are also limited to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 28 mph and must be equipped with a speedometer.
State law also requires an electric-assisted bicycle to meet specific equipment and power requirements, including fully operative pedals and an electric motor rated at no more than 1,000 watts.
Vehicles that exceed those requirements may not legally qualify as e-bikes and can instead fall under other vehicle classifications depending on their design and capabilities.
The Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 4007 in 2026, adding regulations involving e-bikes, motor-assisted scooters and other powered micromobility devices.
Among other changes, the law establishes additional requirements for younger riders and addresses vehicles that are improperly marketed or sold as e-bikes when they do not meet Oregon’s legal definition.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the minimum age to operate a Class 1 e-bike will be 14. The minimum age for operating Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes remains 16.
The legislation also establishes helmet requirements for riders under 16 operating certain bicycles, motor-assisted scooters and powered micromobility devices.
Oregon law separately regulates motor-assisted scooters, which are subject to a maximum speed of 20 mph and a minimum operator age of 14.
The state’s powered micromobility-device provisions do not classify motorcycles, mopeds or all-terrain vehicles as powered micromobility devices.
The Bend crash remains under investigation.

Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
