San Rafael Police Launch E-Bike Rules Campaign
San Rafael police are reminding residents that not all motorized vehicles qualify as e-bikes and are subject to different regulations. The department is launching an education campaign aimed at young riders and their parents to clarify the rules and promote safer usage.
The San Rafael City Council approved an ordinance in September 2025, creating new e-bike regulations that are now consistent across Marin County. A key provision of this ordinance is the prohibition of riders under the age of 16 from operating Class 2, throttle-assisted e-bikes. Additionally, the new rules mandate that all riders of Class 2 e-bikes must wear a helmet, regardless of their age. This legislative action is a direct response to a significant increase in e-bike-related accidents, particularly among young people. Data from Marin County Emergency Medical Services revealed that between October 10 and November 10, 2023, 71% of 911 responses for bike accidents involving youths aged 10 to 19 were related to e-bikes. More recent data from October 2024 shows that 85% of all 911 bicycle crashes for 10 to 15-year-olds were e-bike related, with this age group having an e-bike crash rate five times higher than any other. The new regulations were made possible by Assembly Bill 1778, which was authored by Assemblymember Damon Connolly of San Rafael. This bill authorized local jurisdictions in Marin County to implement stricter rules for e-bike safety as part of a pilot program. The program also requires the collection and reporting of data on e-bike violations and collisions to the state legislature by 2028. The enforcement of these new rules is part of a broader county-wide public education initiative called the "E-Bikers Club." This campaign aims to educate young riders and their parents on the new laws and general e-bike safety. For the first 60 days after the ordinance's effective date, violations will result in warning notices to help educate the public before fines are issued. A crucial distinction the campaign emphasizes is between legal e-bikes and more powerful, illegal electric motorcycles. Under California law, an electric bicycle must have a motor of less than 750 watts and fully operable pedals. Devices that exceed this power limit or do not have pedals are classified as mopeds or motorcycles and are subject to different laws, including licensing and registration requirements. The San Rafael Police have noted an increase in violations involving unlicensed juveniles on these more powerful, non-street-legal electric motorcycles.
