Clovis Unified School District

E-Bikes: What Parents Need to Know

Clovis Unified and City of Clovis police encourage parents to be informed about e-bike safety. There are different classes of e-vehicles with varying rules, speeds and age requirements.

Two people ride e-scooters on a paved path, viewed from behind.

According to consumer sales reports, sales of electric bicycles in the U.S. soared 269% between 2019 and 2022.*

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. If used incorrectly, e-vehicles could be impounded and require expensive fines to be returned to your family.

*Data Source: eBike Market Insights

**This Parent Bulletin is not a complete guide to electric vehicles. Parents are encouraged to research laws specific to a given make or model of vehicle before making a purchase.

Know Your Electric Vehicle

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

E-Bike:

California’s vehicle code defines an e-bike as 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 label that lists the classification, top speed and motor wattage. It is important to know this information about your child’s bike because laws vary based on it.

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

Electric Motorcycle/Moped:

Electric motorcycles are two- or three-wheeled motor-assisted vehicles over 750 watts. Some can reach speeds over 70 mph. These vehicles may have motorcycle pegs or non-operable pedals. To ride a vehicle like this, you must have a CA Driver’s License with an M1 endorsement. E-motorcycles require a DOT-approved helmet and the correct vehicle registration. These (like IE Surron, E-Ride Pro & Talaria bikes) are intended for private property or off-highway use and are not allowed on surface streets, sidewalks, trails or bike lanes.

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 by Vehicle

Class 1 E-Bike

Has pedal assist. No throttle. Up to 20 mph. No minimum age. Helmet required under 18 years old.
Class 2 E-Bike

Pedal assist optional. Has a throttle. Up to 20 mph. No minimum age. Helmet required under 18 years old.
Class 3 E-Bike

Has pedal assist. No throttle. Up to 28 mph. Minimum age of 16 years. Helmet required: DOT-Approved.
Moped/E-Motorcycle

No pedal assist. Has throttle. May exceed 70 mph Minimum age of 16, and requires M1 license and registration. Helmet required: DOT-Approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Under California law, every e-bike made since 2017 must have a label attached to it that lists the classification, top speed and motor wattage. It is important to know this information about your child’s bike because laws vary based on it.
California’s vehicle code defines Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bikes as equipped with a motor equal to or less than 750 watts. Class 1 has pedals that assist the motor gain speed and can reach a maximum speed of 20 mph. Class 2 has a throttle assist feature to help gain speed and can reach a maximum speed of 20 mph. Class 3 has pedal assist and can reach a maximum of 28 mph. Because of the higher speed, riders of a Class 3 e-bike must be a minimum of 16 years old and wear a DOT-approved helmet.
An e-motorcycle has a more powerful motor (greater than 750 watts), can go speeds from 30 to more than 70 mph, and pedals are non-operable or not present. An e-motorcycle requires a rider to be 16 years old or older, have a valid driver’s license with an M1 endorsement and a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet.

Law enforcement warns that buyers should be cautious as some e-motorcycles are marketed to appear as an e-bike. If the bike does not have functional pedals, rides faster than 28 mph or has a dirt bike-style look, they are likely an e-motorcycle and viewed as a motorized vehicle requiring a driver’s license.
All classification of e-bikes can be ridden in designated bike lanes and on streets; they should not be ridden on sidewalks or paved pedestrian areas. E-Motorcycles (like IE Surron, E-Ride Pro & Talaria bikes) are intended for private property or off-highway use and are not allowed on surface streets, sidewalks, trails or bike lanes.
If used incorrectly, e-vehicles can be impounded by law enforcement and would require expensive fines to be returned to your family.
More information about specific regulations depending upon where you live can be found in City of Clovis Municipal Code 5.8.12 or City of Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 14 Article 7. Additionally, laws pertaining to electronic bikes can be found in California Vehicle Code 312.5.

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.

Under California Vehicle Code §21200, people riding bicycles or e-bikes on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of cars.

Know the operation and licensing requirements for the type of e-bike/scooter/motorcycle you own.
Always wear a properly fitting, DOT-approved helmet.
Do not ride recklessly (VC §23103) or at an unsafe speed (VC §23109). Always have both wheels on the ground, hands on the handlebars and your body on the seat.
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.
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.
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.
Give yourself time to brake. E-bikes are heavier and move faster than regular bikes and therefore take longer to stop.
Make sure to equip bikes and scooters with reflectors and/or lights. If riding at night the law requires bike lighting.
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.
Watch out for blind spots, especially around buses and trucks.

Resource: DMV Motorcycle and Moped Registration

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?"

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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.