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Gangs of riders on small black electric bicycles have invaded Maui, and police warn that an increase in usage of mini e-bikes could mean trouble for the Valley Isle.
Children, teenagers, and adults alike have invested in the small Earth-saving motorized transportation gizmos now that they are finally somewhat affordable, officials said.
"These e-bike gangs are zipping down sidewalks and crowding mall parking lots as we speak," said Sgt. Joe McGinnity, a traffic patrol supervisor for the Maui Police Department. "We even got some complaints that they took up all the bike rack spots in places. Dudes on pedal-only bikes are not happy."
Crowding aside, what police are concerned with most, McGinnity says, is the gangs possibly growing in number and stature.
"Now that e-bikes at Costco have dipped under $400, who knows how many we'll start seeing on Maui streets and roads?" he asked. "We only have so many officers to spare in case rogue e-bike gangs cause trouble."
In response, the Maui County Council has received a request from the Maui Police Department for emergency funding to purchase a group of small black e-bikes to start a special enforcement section program to monitor e-bike gangs.
"The e-bike officers would be harder to see out there so maybe we can sneak up on these gangs, without starting a medium-speed chase," said Eric Mumphry, who is in charge of SES actions regarding traffic for MPD. "It also would be easier to surprise gangs while on these e-bikes, compared with the soccer-mom SUVs we patrol with normally."
Local e-bike enthusiasts wonder what all the fuss is about.
"Um, they only go 15 miles per hour," said Patrick Hopuiau, 14, of Wailuku.
"And they help save the Earth from certain catastrophe should our climate get any warmer," said his friend Harry Hoopunipuni, 15, of Haiku, while cruising around Queen Kaahumanu Center on Monday.
Costco officials, meanwhile, say the e-bikes are selling like hotcakes and show no indication of slowing down.
"We can hardly keep e-bikes stocked," said Gerald Bigaisles, assistant manager for the Costco location in Kahului that serves the entire island. "Probably the only other thing that we struggle with most to keep on the shelves is Spam."
