An electric bicycle, or an e-bike, is a bicycle that is equipped with an electric motor that assists or replaces pedaling. E-bikes can be a great tool to replace car trips. E-bikes can allow people to travel long distances and climb steeper hills easier compared to a standard bike. Replaced car trips to sustainable modes of transportation have multiple community benefits including reduced congestion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased physical activity, and improved air quality.
However, bicyclists should review safety considerations before purchasing an e-bike. E-bikes are heavier and travel faster than standard bikes. This makes all e-bikes harder to maneuver and take longer to come to a complete stop than standard bikes. This is an important safety consideration, especially in younger or inexperienced riders.
When crashes do happen on an e-bike, crashes may be more severe due to the speed and weight.
What state and local laws are there on e-bikes?
The laws around bicycling are determined from local and state laws, including the California Vehicle Code (CVC). CVC 21200 states people biking have the same rights and responsibilities as people driving.
People using an e-bike are subject to CVC 21200, including using a bike lane (when established) when traveling at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction. However, a person riding an e-bike travels faster than a person riding a standard bike (25 MPH versus 10 MPH). This can cause safety considerations when e-bike users passes a standard bike user. When passing a bicyclist in the bike lane, make sure to signal correctly to alert other roadway users of your intended path of travel. Additionally, it is highly recommended to audibly alert other bicyclists you are passing them, such as a bike bell or verbal warning. E-bike users should be alert and considerate of other people biking or people walking.
Local law (City Code 11.56.120) restricts any person to ride or operate a bicycle on a sidewalk on any business or commercial districts and zones within the city, including in downtown Menlo Park.
What type of e-bikes are there?
There are three classes of e-bikes. Depending on age, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes may be illegal or not recommended.
| E-Bike class |
Maximum speed |
Age restrictions |
Type of assist |
| Class 1 |
20 MPH |
No age restriction |
Pedal assist up to 20 MPH |
| Class 2 |
20 MPH |
No age restriction, but not recommended for students younger than 16
|
Throttle assist up to 20 MPH |
| Class 3 |
28 MPH |
16 years |
Pedal assist up to 28 MPH |
A Class 1 is recommended if you can safely and confidently ride an e-bike. A Class 1 e-bike can provide assistance from the electric motor up to 20 MPH pedaling. A Class 1 will likely meet your needs.
What about illegal e-bikes?
According to CVC 312.5, a legal e-bike must be equipped with an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Additionally, manufacturers and distributors are required to display a label indicating the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle. If an e-bike has more than 750 watts or can exceed the top assist in its classification, then it is an illegal device.
Some e-bike can be sold as a Class 2 but can be altered to assist to speeds greater than the legal limit. These devices are out of classification and illegal.
E-bike users should be aware and vigilant about out of classification devices. If out of classification, the device is illegal on public streets, roads, and pathways. In the case of a crash, there may be financial and legal liabilities for operating an illegal device.
SB 1271 (Effective Jan. 1, 2026)
New state legislation through SB 1271 provides clarification on what is considered an “electric bicycle.”
Under SB 1271, the following vehicles are not electric bicycles under this code and shall not be advertised, sold, offered for sale, or labeled as such:
- A vehicle with two or three wheels powered by an electric motor that is intended by the manufacturer to be modifiable to attain a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on motor power alone or to attain more than 750 watts of power
- A vehicle that is modified to attain a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on motor power alone or to have motor power of more than 750 watts
- A vehicle that is modified to have its operable pedals removed
What are some e-bike safety tips I should know?
E-bikes safety is similar to standard bicycle safety, but should be exercised with more caution since e-bikes are faster and heavier.
Bicyclists should assess these safety considerations before purchasing and using an e-bike:
- Riding safely with vehicles in the same direction as traffic
- Safely navigating intersections with people driving and people walking present
- Riding consistently in a straight line outside of the door zone of parked cars
- Using hand signals while riding in a straight line, including signaling for left turns, right turns, and stopping
- Safely avoiding obstacles
- Safely and appropriately passing other bicyclists including signaling, audibly warning, and slowing down when necessary
E-bikes can be challenging for younger or inexperienced riders. You or your student may not be ready for an e-bike if you or your student do not have the confidence or skills to safely operate a standard bike.
People riding a biking (standard or e-bike) should follow these safety protocols:
Wear a properly fitting helmet
E-bikes travel faster than standard bikes. When a crash does happen, the crash can be more severe. Make sure your helmet fits and it is properly attached and buckled before you ride. Wearing an ill-fitting or unbuckled helmet is the same as not wearing a helmet at all. People biking under 18 are required by law to wear a helmet.
No double riding
E-bikes are heavier and harder to maneuver, especially for younger and inexperienced riders. When people carry a passenger on their e-bike, it becomes even heavier and difficult to maneuver, stop, and slow down.
Be seen, be heard, and be predictable
Assess if you can ride predictably in a straight line without weaving in and out of parked cars or traffic. It is important to remain predictable to other people walking, biking, or driving.
Make sure your bike is equipped with the legally required reflectors and lights including a white front light, rear red reflector, and white or yellow side reflectors on each pedal, shoe, or ankle. It is highly recommended to equip your bike with red rear lights as well. It’s important to be as visible as possible, especially when riding in low-light conditions.
Equip your bike with a bike bell to alert other people biking, walking, or driving of your presence, when necessary.
Slow down
When crashes do happen at higher speeds, crashes are more likely to result in severe injuries. When traveling at 20 MPH, it takes a considerable longer time to slow down.
Since e-bikes have been increasing in popularity, so have the number of collisions involving e-bikes. Between 2020-2024, there were 11 reported collisions involving e-bikes in Menlo Park, according to Police Department records.
E-bikes and Students
Students should understand how to be safe as pedestrians and then learn how to be safe bicycle riders on a standard bike. Riding a standard bike does not ensure your student may understand the skills for an e-bike. E-bikes require more training and skills because of their weight and maneuverability. When crashes do happen on e-bikes, they can be more severe because of the increased speed and weight, especially for younger and inexperienced riders. Caretakers should make sure their student is following local and state laws and operating safely.
Additionally, caretakers should be vigilant their student is not altering the device to exceed the maximum speed limit. This would be considered an illegal device and should not be operated on public streets, roads, or pathways.
For general bicycle safety information, education, and resources for parents, students, and school administrators, visit the Safe Routes to School resources page.
The SRTS project team have prepared and gathered the below resources about e-bikes for caretakers and educators to use as a resource:
E-bike education courses that provide e-bike safety information and resources can be purchased through private providers. Caretakers and parents are encouraged to research e-bike education courses and select the one most suited to your student.
For SRTS questions, please contact us below the Safe Routes to School Coordinator at SafeRoutestoSchool@menlopark.gov.
Tips for purchasing an e-bike
Local retailers can provide guidance and assistance for purchasing an in-classification e-bike. Additionally, it is important to consider if local retailers can service an e-bike. E-bikes require routine maintenance and service. Brakes on e-bikes wear faster than standard bikes, so being able to service your e-bike regularly and reliably is a safety essential. Retailers may be only able to service specific brands of e-bikes, check with your local retailer before purchasing.