California Electric Bike Laws

Three-class law · State parks: Public roads; trails by posted order

Assembly Bill 1096 adopted the three-class system in 2015 (Veh. Code 312.5), with a 750 W motor limit. An e-bike that fits a class needs no license, registration or insurance. Class 3 riders must be 16 or older and every Class 3 rider wears a helmet; riders under 18 wear helmets on any class. SB 1167, signed in 2026 and effective January 1, 2027, moves devices faster than 20 mph on throttle or 28 mph with pedals into the moped or motor-driven cycle categories.

E-bike classes
Three
E-bike license
No
Class 3 minimum age
16
E-bike helmet
Under 18
State parks
Public roads; trails by posted order
Moped registration
Yes

By vehicle

Rules for E-Bikes, Stand-Up E-Scooters and Mopeds in California

California rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bike, Class 1 and 2Class 1, 2; 750 WNoneNoNoNoUnder 18Local rulePaths unless locally barred
E-bike, Class 3Class 3; 28 mph; 750 W16NoNoNoAll ridersLocal rulePaths unless locally barred
High-speed e-bikeMotor-driven cycle, electric up to 3,750 W16M1 or M2YesYesYesNoNo
Stand-up e-scooterMotorized scooter, 15 mph maxLicense or permitYesNoNoUnder 18NoBike paths
Seated e-scooter (moped)Motorized bicycle: 30 mph, 4 hp max16M1 or M2YesYesYesNoNo

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike, Class 1 and 2. Roads, bike lanes, paths
  • E-bike, Class 3. Speedometer required
  • High-speed e-bike. Category in force January 1, 2027
  • Stand-up e-scooter. Roads 25 mph or less, 35 in bike lane
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Roads and bike lanes

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

Permanent label showing class, top assisted speed and motor wattage; motor cutoff when pedaling stops or brakes are applied; speedometer on Class 3, and on Class 2 e-bikes sold after January 1, 2029 under AB 2346 (2026); batteries sold must be certified to UL 2849 under SB 1271 (2024); white front lamp, red rear reflector and side reflectors at night.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Cities and counties may regulate e-bikes on sidewalks and may bar any class from bike paths and trails under Veh. Code 21207.5; AB 2346 (2026) sets a 10 mph sidewalk speed limit. Marin County runs a state-authorized pilot under AB 2234 (2024) that bars riders under 16 from Class 2 e-bikes, and AB 2595 (2026) lets San Mateo County jurisdictions bar riders under 12 from Class 1 and 2 e-bikes until 2031.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in California

California State Parks allows Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on public roads in park units. On trails and gated fire roads, e-bikes are allowed only where a district superintendent's posted order permits them, and each park sets its own list.

Record

Sources

E-bike, Class 1 and 2
Veh. Code 312.5, 21207.5, 21212; AB 1096 (2015)
E-bike, Class 3
Veh. Code 312.5, 21213; AB 1909 (2022)
High-speed e-bike
SB 1167 (2026)
Stand-up e-scooter
Veh. Code 407.5, 21235
Seated e-scooter (moped)
Veh. Code 406, 12804.9; SB 1167 (2026)
Status
Partly verified
Open items
Moped insurance rule for current motorized bicycles; exact effective date of AB 2346 sidewalk limit; SB 1167 bill text not read directly (news sources only)
Last verified
Q4 2026