Electric Bikes In California: License Requirements Explained

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular, but do you need a license to ride one in California? The answer is a little complicated. Currently, California law does not require a license or a minimum age to ride an e-bike, and e-bike users must follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists. However, there is a bill that has been introduced that would require electric bike riders who don't already hold a traditional car driver's license to get an electric bike license. This bill is designed to provide more safety and structure for young or unlicensed e-bike riders in the state. So, while you don't currently need a license to ride an e-bike in California, that may change in the future.

Electric bike riders in California may need a license

California Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner recently introduced a bill that would require electric bike riders who don't already hold a traditional car driver's license to obtain an electric bike license. The bill is designed to provide more safety and structure for young or unlicensed e-bike riders in the state. If passed, the bill would ban children under the age of 12 from riding electric bikes. Riders aged 12 and above who don't have a car driver's license would be required to complete an online course, pass a written test, and obtain a state ID to legally operate an electric bicycle.

This isn't the first time California has considered instituting a driver's license specifically for e-bike riders. A similar concept was proposed last year but failed to pass. It's worth noting that e-bike users in California must follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists, including speed limits, safe passing of vehicles, and yielding the right of way to pedestrians.

Additionally, it's important to be aware that some e-bikes can reach higher speeds, and those with motors of more than 750 watts are considered motorcycles under California law. Riders of these higher-powered e-bikes are required to have a Class M license and wear a helmet.

There are three classes of e-bike in California

Electric bikes in California are treated the same as bicycles, so e-bike users don't need a driver's license or license plate. However, there are three classes of e-bike in California, each with its own laws about where they can operate. The classes are based on the speed of the bike and the level of pedal assistance received from the electric motor.

Class 1 e-bikes only activate while the rider is pedalling and stop working once the cycle reaches 20 miles per hour. Most electric bikes reach a maximum motor-assisted speed of 20 miles per hour, but some can reach 28 miles per hour. Riders must obey posted speed limits and are subject to speeding tickets from local law enforcement. Electric bicycles with motors of more than 750 watts are classed as motorcycles and require a Class M license and helmet.

California has considered introducing a driver's license specifically for e-bike riders, but this has not yet been implemented.

Electric bikes must obey posted speed limits

Electric bikes in California must obey posted speed limits. This is because e-bikes have the same legal rights and restrictions as bicycles. This means that e-bike users must follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists, including obeying the speed limit, safely passing other vehicles, and giving the right of way to pedestrians.

Currently, California law does not require a license or a minimum age to ride an e-bike. However, there are three classes of e-bikes in the state, and the motors on Class 1 bikes only activate while the rider is pedalling and stop working once the cycle reaches 20 miles per hour. Most electric bikes reach a maximum motor-assisted speed of 20 miles per hour, but some can reach 28 miles per hour using their electric motors. It is against the law in California to modify an e-bike to change its speed capability unless the rider also changes the bicycle's classification. Electric bicycles with motors of more than 750 watts are technically motorcycles and require Class M licenses and helmets.

There have been discussions about instituting a driver's license specifically for e-bike riders in California, and a bill was introduced in February 2024 that would require riders under the age of 12 to complete an online course, pass a written test, and get a state ID to legally operate an electric bicycle. However, this is not the first time such a concept has been proposed, and previous attempts have failed to make it out of the assembly.

Electric bikes with motors of more than 750 watts are classed as motorcycles

Currently, California law does not require a license or a minimum age to ride an e-bike. However, there are three classes of e-bikes in the state, based on the speed of the bike and the level of pedal assistance received from the electric motor. The motors on Class 1 bikes only activate while the rider is pedalling and stop working once the cycle reaches 20 miles per hour. Most electric bikes reach a maximum motor-assisted speed of 20 miles per hour, but some can reach 28 miles per hour using their electric motors.

E-bike users must follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists, including following speed limits, safely passing other vehicles, and giving way to pedestrians. They do not need a license plate or a driver's license. However, California has considered introducing a driver's license specifically for e-bike riders, particularly for young or unlicensed riders.

Riders under 12 will be banned from riding electric bikes

Electric bikes in California are currently not subject to a minimum age or license requirement. However, a bill introduced by California Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner in February 2024 could change this. The bill, which is designed to improve safety and structure for young or unlicensed e-bike riders, proposes banning children under the age of 12 from riding electric bikes. Riders aged 12 and above who do not hold a car driver's license would be required to complete an online course, pass a written test, and obtain a state ID to legally operate an electric bicycle.

This bill is not the first time California has considered implementing a driver's license specifically for e-bike riders. The concept was previously floated but failed to pass in the assembly. While some view the bill as a positive step towards enhancing safety, particularly for children, others criticise it as an unnecessary power grab that targets a problem affecting only certain cities.

Currently, e-bike users in California must follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists, including speed limits, safe passing of vehicles, and yielding the right of way to pedestrians. There are three classes of e-bikes in the state, differentiated by speed and level of pedal assistance. Most electric bikes fall into Class 1, where the motor only activates while the rider is pedalling and stops when the cycle reaches 20 miles per hour. It is important to note that modifying an electric bicycle to increase its speed capability is illegal unless the rider also changes the bicycle's classification. E-bikes with motors exceeding 750 watts are legally considered motorcycles and require a Class M license and helmet.

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