Santa Cruz Updates E-Bike Rules
The Santa Cruz City Council has updated its ordinances for e-bikes. The revisions are believed to address safety concerns as the electric bicycles have grown in popularity across the city, though specific details of the new rules were not immediately released.
The move to update Santa Cruz's e-bike rules comes after a notable increase in e-bike-related collisions. Between 2023 and 2024, the California Highway Patrol reported a 177% spike in such incidents within its jurisdiction in Santa Cruz County, which included one fatality. [cite: ] In response to growing safety concerns, the city council has been exploring several options, including setting a minimum rider age of at least 10 for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. These e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 20 mph, while Class 3 e-bikes, which can go up to 28 mph, already have a state-mandated minimum rider age of 16. Santa Cruz is also looking at models from other California jurisdictions to inform its new regulations. For instance, Marin County has set a minimum age of 16 for Class 1 e-bikes, and San Diego County has established a minimum age of 12 for both Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. A key part of the city's strategy is to increase rider education and accountability, especially among younger users. One proposal under consideration is a pilot program with Santa Cruz City Schools that would require middle school students to complete a safety course to obtain a permit to park their e-bikes on campus. The city is also distinguishing between legal e-bikes and "e-motos," which are often marketed to younger people but are not street legal. These devices can have motors exceeding 750 watts and can go faster than 20 mph with a throttle, classifying them as off-highway vehicles or motorcycles that are not permitted in bike lanes. In addition to local ordinances, new statewide regulations in 2026 are also impacting e-bike usage and sales in Santa Cruz. These include mandates for battery safety certification to reduce fire risks and clearer definitions to distinguish e-bikes from more powerful "off-highway electric motorcycles." The ultimate goal for Santa Cruz is to integrate e-bikes safely into its transportation network as it aims to have 30% of commutes happen by bicycle by 2035. The new rules are seen as a necessary step to manage the growing popularity of e-bikes and ensure the safety of riders and pedestrians alike.
