Police outline e‑bike rules, helmets and enforcement limits at council workshop

The Police Department’s traffic safety commander held a workshop explaining California vehicle‑code classifications for e‑bikes and related enforcement tools.

Under state law, class 1 and 2 e‑bikes are limited to 20 mph; class 3 e‑bikes are limited to 28 mph and require a minimum rider age (16) and universal helmet use. High‑power electric motorcycles and converted off‑road bikes that exceed 750 watts or 28 mph are treated as motorcycles and are not legally permitted on city streets; such off‑road motorcycles may be impounded when found in the city. The commander said two recent fatalities involved e‑bike riders and that most juvenile injuries involved off‑road‑style electric dirt bikes.

Police urged parents and sellers to buy age‑appropriate bikes, require helmets and follow rules of the road. Councilmembers asked about signage, education and targeted pilot programs; police said the department can provide outreach, free helmets when available and collaborate on public‑education messaging.