Quick Answer
California e-bikes must have working pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less, and meet the requirements for a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 e-bike under Vehicle Code § 312.5.
For families, a few important rules to remember:
- Class 3 riders must be at least 16 years old.
- Riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
- New California laws taking effect in 2027 provide clearer rules about legal e-bikes, higher-powered e-motos, riding speeds, and safety.
- Under AB 1569, California is developing a standardized e-bike safety education program for students in grades 7–12, due by March 1, 2028.
- Local rules matter, too. Cities, schools, parks, and other communities may have additional age, riding, permit, or safety requirements.
For parents: Before your child rides, make sure you know what type of e-bike they have, whether they're old enough to ride it, and what rules apply where they live and go to school.
On this page
Quick answer
At a glance
AB 1569
E-bike classes
E-motos
January 2027
Local laws
Safety courses & citations
Schools
Parents
About EBA
FAQ
Official sources
California e-bike rules at a glance
Summary of California e-bike rules
| Topic | What to know | Status |
|---|
| Legal e-bike |
Must have fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750 watts, and must meet California's Class 1, 2, or 3 requirements. Required manufacturer labeling identifies the class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage. |
Current law |
| Class 1 & Class 2 age |
California currently has no general statewide minimum age for operating a legal Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike. Local restrictions may apply. |
Current law; local rules may differ |
| Class 3 age & helmet |
A person under 16 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike. Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike on a street, bikeway, or public bicycle path or trail must wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. |
Current law |
| Helmets under 18 |
Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet when riding a bicycle/e-bike on a street, bikeway, or other public bicycle path or trail. |
Current law |
| E-bikes vs. e-motos / marketing |
California already restricts certain noncompliant vehicles from being advertised, sold, offered for sale, or labeled as e-bikes. SB 1167 expands and clarifies which higher-powered vehicles cannot be represented as electric bicycles and adds other labeling, equipment, and consumer-protection provisions. |
SB 1167 generally effective Jan. 1, 2027 |
| Path & trail speed limits |
AB 2346 authorizes local authorities to establish specified e-bike speed limits on bicycle paths and multiuse trails, including 15 or 20 mph on bicycle paths and 10, 15, or 20 mph on multiuse trails. These are not automatic statewide speed limits. |
New local authority generally effective Jan. 1, 2027 |
| San Mateo under-12 pilot |
AB 2595 authorizes San Mateo County and local authorities within the county to adopt a rule prohibiting riders under 12 from operating Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes. It does not automatically create an under-12 ban throughout the county. |
Local pilot — only where adopted |
| Statewide grades 7–12 safety program |
AB 1569 requires the California Department of Education, in consultation with CHP, to develop a standardized e-bike safety and training program for students in grades 7–12 by March 1, 2028. It does not require schools to use EBA. |
State program development pending |
| Campus parking / permits |
Schools and districts may establish local e-bike parking, permit, registration, and safety requirements where legally authorized. Families should check their individual district's rules. |
Local requirements vary |
Agency work still pending
AB 1569: a CDE program by 2028
Assembly Bill 1569 (Davies) was approved August 27, 2026 (Chapter 128). It adds Education Code § 49397. On or before March 1, 2028, CDE, in consultation with CHP, shall develop a standardized electric bicycle safety and training program for pupils in grades 7 to 12, including an online component with videos and a knowledge assessment.
- CDE and CHP may collaborate with local agencies that already run e-bike training.
- Local educational agencies and parent organizations are encouraged to offer on-bike demonstrations — not required statewide.
Current law
The three legal classes
Definitions live in Vehicle Code § 312.5.
Class 1
Pedal assist to 20 mph (plus a slow walk/start mode). Often allowed on more paths — still check local trail rules.
Class 2
Throttle may propel the bike, but the motor must not provide assistance at 20 mph.
Class 3
Pedal assist to 28 mph, speedometer required, 16+ to operate, helmet for operator and passenger.
Current law
Generally effective January 1, 2027
E-motos are not e-bikes
Current § 312.5(d) already says certain high-power, modified, or pedal-removed vehicles are not electric bicycles and shall not be advertised as such. SB 1167 (approved September 30, 2026) expands those marketing rules to additional vehicle types, including mopeds and motor-driven cycles. Those changes generally take effect January 1, 2027.
Generally effective January 1, 2027
What changes on January 1, 2027 for E-bikes?
SB 1167 — Know What Counts as an E-Bike
California is making it clearer which vehicles qualify as legal e-bikes—and which high-powered e-motos do not. Parents: check the classification, speed and motor power before you buy.
AB 2346 — New Rules for Paths & Sidewalks
Expect clearer speed limits on bike paths, trails and sidewalks. New e-bikes will also come with better safety information, and additional equipment requirements begin in 2029.
AB 2595 — San Mateo County Youth Pilot
Some San Mateo County communities may prohibit children under 12 from riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes. A safety course may be used instead of paying a violation. This is not a statewide under-12 rule.
What Isn’t Changing
California still has three e-bike classes. Class 3 riders must be 16 or older, and riders under 18 must wear a helmet. Local rules about where e-bikes can be ridden may also apply.
Local / pilot — not statewide by default
Local laws still control where you ride
Vehicle Code § 21207.5 lets local authorities prohibit e-bikes on specified trails. Schools and other public property managers can condition campus parking under § 21113.
Current law
Safety Courses, Citations & Getting an E-Bike Back
For some first-time helmet violations, California law gives families an opportunity to correct the issue instead of simply paying a fine. Under Vehicle Code § 21212, a citation may be dismissed or handled without going to court when certain requirements are met. This can include showing that the child now has a proper helmet and, when an e-bike was involved, has completed an e-bike safety course approved or accepted by the local agency.
California law also allows law enforcement to temporarily remove certain high-powered electric vehicles and Class 3 e-bikes being ridden by someone under age 16. Under Vehicle Code § 22651.08, an agency may require the young rider to complete an e-bike safety course before a Class 3 e-bike is released.
What parents should know: Requirements can vary by community. If your child receives a citation or has an e-bike removed, ask the issuing agency which e-bike safety courses it accepts, what proof of completion is required, and whether your community offers a diversion program that allows education to satisfy or reduce the citation.
What schools can require today
- Require a completed safety course and parent acknowledgment before campus parking.
- Limit bike racks to legal Class 1–3 devices and exclude e-motos.
- Post helmet, speed, and registration rules under Vehicle Code § 21113.
- Use education as a restorative option after a campus violation, in addition to any city diversion.
Implementation ideas for boards and cities: lawmakers & communities.
Parent checklist
- Match the device to a Class 1, 2, or 3 label and CVC 312.5.
- If the rider is under 16, do not allow Class 3 operation.
- Fit an ASTM or CPSC bicycle helmet.
- Read city, park, and school rules.
- Do not enable speed or wattage unlocks.
About Electric Bike Academy
Electric Bike Academy is an online e-bike safety education program developed by experienced road-safety educators. The course helps young riders and their parents understand e-bike classes, California laws, rules of the road, safe riding practices, helmet and visibility safety, responsible riding, and e-bike care and maintenance.
Electric Bike Academy is designed for use by families, schools, school districts, cities, and communities looking for a structured and accessible way to educate young e-bike riders. The program includes age-appropriate instruction, a dedicated parent component, knowledge assessments, completion tracking, and certificates of completion.
EBA can also be adapted to support local e-bike laws, school permit programs, safety initiatives, and community education efforts.
Course overview: Student Enrollment | Learn more: Our Story
Frequently asked questions
Every question and answer is in the initial HTML.
Is Electric Bike Academy required for every California student?
No. AB 1569 directs the State Department of Education, in consultation with CHP, to develop a standardized program for grades 7–12 by March 1, 2028. It does not require every pupil to take Electric Bike Academy.
Is Electric Bike Academy approved by CDE or CHP?
Electric Bike Academy is an independent e-bike safety education program used by families, schools, school districts, and communities. EBA provides structured education for young riders and parents, including knowledge assessments, completion tracking, and certificates of completion.
California is also developing a statewide grades 7–12 e-bike education program under AB 1569, which is due by March 1, 2028. EBA is not currently designated as the state's CDE or CHP program. Schools, districts, cities, courts, and other organizations may establish their own requirements and determine which e-bike safety programs they accept.
What is a legal Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike in California right now?
Under Vehicle Code § 312.5, an electric bicycle has fully operable pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less, in Class 1, 2, or 3.
Can someone under 16 ride a Class 3 e-bike?
Current Vehicle Code § 21213 prohibits a person under 16 from operating a Class 3 electric bicycle.
Do minors need a helmet on a Class 1 or 2 e-bike?
Vehicle Code § 21212 generally requires a person under 18 to wear a qualifying helmet on a street, bikeway, or public bicycle path or trail.
What changes on January 1, 2027?
SB 1167, AB 2346, and AB 2595 were approved in 2026 as non-urgency measures and generally take effect January 1, 2027, except where a bill states a later date.
What is an e-moto, and is it an e-bike?
Many high-power devices are already not e-bikes under CVC 312.5(d). SB 1167 expands marketing and definition rules generally effective January 1, 2027.
Can my city ban e-bikes on a trail?
Vehicle Code § 21207.5 allows local trail prohibitions by ordinance. AB 2346 adds path speed-limit tools generally after January 1, 2027.
Can a school require a safety course before parking an e-bike on campus?
Schools may set campus vehicle conditions under Vehicle Code § 21113. That is a local policy choice, not a statewide mandate to use EBA.
Does California have a statewide minimum age for Class 1 and Class 2?
State law currently sets 16+ for Class 3. AB 2595 is a San Mateo local/pilot option for under-12 Class 1/2, only if an ordinance is adopted.
What if a minor is cited without a helmet or for Class 3 under 16?
Helmet and impound statutes may allow a CHP § 894 course or a locally prescribed course. Ask the issuing agency which course it will accept. That is not automatically EBA.
When will CDE publish the AB 1569 student program?
On or before March 1, 2028. Until then the CDE curriculum is pending.
Does this page replace the California Vehicle Code?
No. Read the current code and enrolled bills on the official Legislature site.
About the Author
Jaclyn Santiago is the founder of Electric Bike Academy and a road-safety curriculum developer with more than eight years of experience developing state-approved driver education and traffic-safety curriculum. Her work focuses on translating complex traffic laws and safety concepts into practical, age-appropriate education for young drivers, e-bike riders, and their families.
Through Electric Bike Academy, Jaclyn develops e-bike safety education and resources for families, schools, school districts, and communities, with an emphasis on youth education, parent involvement, traffic-law awareness, and responsible riding.
This guide reflects California legislation and Vehicle Code provisions current as of October 2026. It is provided for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.
Official sources
Bill numbers link only to the Legislature’s bill pages.
Important Information About This Guide
This guide is provided by Electric Bike Academy as an educational resource for California riders, parents, schools, and communities. It summarizes California e-bike laws and legislation current as of October 2026 and is not legal advice or an official State of California publication.