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Parent Bulletin

September 2025 - E-Bikes: What Parents Need to Know

Clovis Unified and City of Clovis police departments have partnered to provide important information to families about e-bike safety and the laws every rider should know before taking to the streets.

Four children wearing helmets stand with their bikes on a paved path.

Electric Vehicle Types

A black electric bicycle with thick tires is displayed on a white background.

E-Bike:

According to California’s vehicle code, an e-bike is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Every e-bike made since 2017 must have a permanent label that lists the classification number, top speed and motor wattage. That’s important because the laws about how an e-bike can be operated are different dependent on the class of the e-bike.

A sleek, black electric motorcycle is displayed against a white background.

Electric Motorcycle/Moped:

Mopeds or electric motorcycles are two- or three-wheeled motor assisted vehicles. Some can reach speeds over 50 mph. These vehicles often have motorcycle “pegs” instead of pedals. To ride a vehicle like this you must have an M1 license. E-motorcycles require a DOT approved helmet, and the correct vehicle registration. Many of these (like IE Surron, E-Ride Pro, & Talaria bikes) must be registered and can only be ridden on private property or specially marked trails for off-highway vehicles or face the possibility of impoundment.

A black and gray electric scooter stands on a white background.

E-Scooter:

A “motorized scooter” is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an electric motor. Riders should be aware of the specific rules and regulations governing the use of e-scooters.

Quick Reference Chart

In Clovis and Fresno, municipal code prohibits riding a bicycle, e-bicycle or e-scooter of any kind on sidewalks in many locations. These vehicles should use bike lanes and follow all other traffic rules. For complete regulations see City of Clovis municipal code 5.8.12 and City of Fresno municipal code Chapter 14 Article 17.

Class 1 E-Bike

Pedal Assist: Yes

Throttle: No

Maximum Speed: 20 miles per hour

Minimum Age: N/A

Helmet: Under 18

Class 2 E-Bike

Pedal Assist: Optional

Throttle: Yes

Maximum Speed: 20 miles per hour

Minimum Age: N/A

Helmet: Under 18

Class 3 E-Bike

Pedal Assist: Yes

Throttle: No

Maximum Speed: 28 miles per hour

Minimum Age: 16

Helmet: Yes, Department of Transportation-Approved

Moped/E-Motorcycle

Pedal Assist: No

Throttle: Yes

Maximum Speed:

  • Moped: 30 miles per hour
  • Motorcycle: Speed Limit

Minimum Age: 16 & M1 License & Registered

Helmet: Yes, Department of Transportation-Approved

Safety First

The increased convenience and speed offered by e-bikes and scooters also brings the possibility of serious or life-threatening injuries. Start a conversation with your child about your expectations for smart riding and be aware of safety tips from law enforcement officers.

  1. Know the operation and licensing requirements for the type of e-bike/scooter/motorcycle you own.
  2. Always wear a properly fitting, DOT-approved helmet.
  3. Never enter an intersection without checking for oncoming traffic. Make eye contact with any drivers approaching the intersection before entering it to make sure they see you.
  4. Don't wear ear buds or headphones so you can remain aware of traffic and other noises around you. It's actually illegal to cover both ears while riding.
  5. Be aware of your surroundings and the “door zone” – the space that an open door extends beyond a vehicle parked at the curb – to avoid hitting objects or parked cars.
  6. Always ride with your hands on the handle-bars and your body on the seat.
  7. Give yourself time to brake. E-bikes are heavier and move faster than regular bikes and therefore take longer to stop.
  8. Make sure to equip bikes and scooters with reflectors and/or lights. If riding at night the law requires bike lighting.
  9. Always lock your bike when storing it at a public location. Lock both wheels and the frame with a lock and always take accessories with you.
    1. Pro Tip: E-bikes aren’t required to be registered in CA, but there are local bike registries where you can register your e-bike by serial number and contact information to help return a lost or stolen bike to its owner.
  10. Watch out for blind spots, especially around buses and trucks.

 

Resource: CADMV Handbook on 2-Wheeled Vehicles

By the Numbers: E-Bike Safety & Injuries

  • 83% of e-bike and e-scooter accidents occurred in urban areas, compared with rural settings.
  • E-Bike and E-Scooter accidents are doubling every year:
    • 56,844 e-scooter injuries in 2022, up from 8,566 in 2017.
    • 23,493 e-bike injuries in 2022, up from 751 in 2017.

A young pre-teen girl smiles while riding a bicycle, wearing a red helmet.

 

Source: Harvard Medical School Report (Sept. 2024), "The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe?"

Start a Conversation

A man and a young person sit on a couch, engaged in a conversation.

Ask your child if they know and are following the safety standards listed above, and if they understand potential consequences of not following e-bike and scooter laws.

About Parent Bulletins

Parent Bulletins are created by Clovis Unified as a partnering effort to raise awareness and equip families with resources to help kids succeed. These occasional pieces focus on youth trends and culture that may pose risks to students and/or hold school-related consequences, and are designed to start family conversations.