California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed four new state bills into law designed to regulate electric bicycle use and improve safety on public roads and sidewalks. These new measures target the sale of illegal high-speed electric motorcycles disguised as e-bikes, require additional safety gear for some e-bike types, establish a 10 miles per hour speed limit for e-bikes on sidewalks, and mandate the creation of a statewide e-bike safety training program for preteens.
Community leaders in Los Gatos expressed optimism about the impact of these laws. Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore specifically noted Senate Bill 1167, which strengthens existing bans on advertising motorcycle-like devices as street-legal e-bikes. Mayor Moore stated that this particular bill helps ensure consumers understand the difference between legal and illegal devices, addressing a significant issue where consumers are marketed illegal motorcycles.
The need for stricter regulations comes amid a sharp increase in e-bike-related injuries across California. A July research report from the University of California San Diego indicated that e-bike injuries surged from just two in 2018 to 1,506 in 2024. John Austin, a surgery resident and fellow at UC San Diego School of Medicine and lead author of the report, highlighted the disproportionately high number of injured children involved in e-bike crashes. He explained that e-bikes' higher speeds can lead to crash forces more akin to motorcycles than traditional bicycles, resulting in potentially severe injuries.
Further reinforcing the concern, a study released last December by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University found widespread illegal e-bike use among younger riders. The study's counts of electric two-wheelers parked at various Northern California middle and high schools suggested that almost 90% might not meet legal electric bicycle standards, with some devices possessing up to eight times more power than legally permitted limits. These powerful devices, often favored by teens and preteens for their speed and freedom, can lead to peer pressure for dangerous modifications and stunts.
Wendy Riggs, executive director of Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Safe Routes to School, supports the new laws but advocated for further age-based regulations. Riggs suggested that Class 1 e-bikes, which offer pedal assist up to 20 miles per hour, should generally be restricted to ages 12 and above. For Class 2 and 3 e-bikes, which feature throttles and can reach speeds of 28 miles per hour, she recommended an age limit of 16 and above. Law enforcement officials in California have also begun to hold parents legally accountable for providing illegal e-bikes to their children, as demonstrated by charges filed against parents in Orange County following serious incidents involving young riders.
Emirali Mazanov, a 16-year-old junior at Los Gatos High School who sells e-moto accessories online, acknowledges the prevalence of reckless stunts on public streets and supports safety training for young riders. He believes that a trained young person can be safer than an untrained adult on a fast e-bike. Bicycle advocates, such as Lars Thomsen, owner of Trail Head Cyclery in Cupertino, expressed concern that unregulated e-motos are negatively impacting the public perception of legal e-bikes.
Locally, Santa Clara County officials are addressing these issues by hosting an e-bike safety summit in San Jose on December 11. The summit aims to bring together various private groups and government agencies with the goal of establishing a task force dedicated to long-term, interdisciplinary e-bike safety efforts throughout the region. For parents considering an e-bike for their child, Mayor Moore recommends a "shop local, shop legal" approach, advising consultation with local bike shops that can explain regulations and help select an appropriate model for a child's age and skill level.
