Hillsboro-area residents who've watched e-bikes blow through crosswalks or heard e-scooters screaming down neighborhood paths now have a direct way to report it.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office opened an online tip line July 6, dedicated solely to reports of reckless e-bike and e-scooter riding. The tool routes complaints straight to a traffic sergeant, who decides whether to send deputies, launch an investigation, or refer the matter elsewhere.

The sheriff's office said it created the tip line after a rise in complaints about the devices, which can hit 28 mph at their factory limit and faster if riders bypass built-in speed caps.

Two tips in the first week

As of July 13, the tip line had already drawn two reports, according to sheriff's office records cited by The Oregonian. One was determined to fall outside the agency's jurisdiction. The second described a group of teens on e-motorcycles allegedly shooting fireworks and popping wheelies in the Bethany area after dark. That tip is under active investigation.

Bethany sits in unincorporated Washington County, northwest of Hillsboro, within the sheriff's office patrol area.

How it works

The tip line uses the sheriff's office's existing online Traffic Complaint Form. It is not a new platform but a dedicated channel within an existing system. The sheriff's office said the form helps reduce non-emergency calls to dispatch, keeping phone lines open for urgent situations.

The effort is part of the agency's broader "Don't Let Your E-Bike Bring You to the ER" campaign, which includes an education page on electric mobility device rules and risks.

Youth injuries add urgency

The tip line arrives as e-bike injuries climb nationally among young riders. About 41% of all emergency room visits for e-bike injuries in 2024 and 2025 involved patients ages 10 to 19, according to National Electronic Injury Surveillance System estimates reported by Axios. E-bikes weigh more and travel faster than standard bicycles, making them harder for inexperienced riders to control.

How to report

Residents who witness reckless e-bike or e-scooter riding in unincorporated Washington County can file a report through the Traffic Complaint Form. For emergencies or crimes in progress, call 911. More information about e-bike safety rules is available at the sheriff's office e-bike safety page.