Santa Cruz Updates E-Bike Rules
The Santa Cruz City Council has updated its ordinances for electric bicycles to address safety and access concerns. The rule changes come in response to the growing popularity of e-bikes on city streets and trails. Specific details of the new regulations were not immediately released.
The push for updated e-bike regulations in Santa Cruz follows a notable increase in their use and related safety concerns. In 2024, Santa Cruz County saw a 177% spike in e-bike-related crashes, including one fatality, prompting local law enforcement to increase safety and education campaigns. While these efforts led to a 32% decrease in crashes in 2025, the city council is now pursuing more formal rule changes. At a late February 2026 meeting, the council directed city staff to seek state legislation that would establish a minimum rider age of at least 10 years old for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. These classes include bikes with pedal-assist or throttle-assist up to 20 mph. Currently, only Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach speeds of 28 mph, have a state-mandated minimum age of 16. The council is also supporting Assembly Bill 2346, which would grant local authorities the power to set speed limits for bicycles on multi-use paths and bike lanes. If the bill does not pass, the city plans to consider creating its own local bike speed limits. This move is in response to resident complaints about high-speed e-bike riding in pedestrian-heavy areas. Other potential changes include increased fines for riding on sidewalks, which is already prohibited, and a pilot program with local schools to issue parking permits to students who complete a safety course. The city's transportation planner, Claire Gallogly, noted that while youth on e-bikes are a concern, data shows older adults account for the most serious injuries and fatalities. Santa Cruz is looking at models from other California jurisdictions that have already implemented stricter e-bike rules. For instance, Marin County has set a minimum age of 16 for Class 1 e-bikes, while San Diego County established a minimum age of 12 for both Class 1 and Class 2 models. A key issue for law enforcement has been the proliferation of "e-motos," which look similar to e-bikes but have more powerful motors (exceeding 750 watts) and can exceed 20 mph with a throttle alone. These devices are often classified as off-highway vehicles or motorcycles and are not legal on public roadways or bike paths without proper licensing and registration. The city's goal is to integrate e-bikes safely as it works towards having 30% of commutes be by bicycle by 2035. The new regulations aim to address reckless behavior and ensure rider predictability, according to city officials.
