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California e-bike laws
ClassesClass 1, 2 and 3; motor max 750 W; label required; walk mode to 3.7 mph allowed; bikes modified past limits are excluded (CVC 312.5, amended SB 1271, eff. 1/1/2025)
Age & helmetUnder 16 may not operate a Class 3; no minimum age found for Class 1 or 2 (CVC 21213) · Class 3: all riders and passengers. Under 18 on any bicycle, fine up to $25 (CVC 21213, 21212). No requirement for Class 1/2 riders 18 and older
Class 1, 2 and 3; motor max 750 W; label required; walk mode to 3.7 mph allowed; bikes modified past limits are excluded (CVC 312.5, amended SB 1271, eff. 1/1/2025)
Minimum age
Under 16 may not operate a Class 3; no minimum age found for Class 1 or 2 (CVC 21213)
Helmet rule
Class 3: all riders and passengers. Under 18 on any bicycle, fine up to $25 (CVC 21213, 21212). No requirement for Class 1/2 riders 18 and older
Where you can ride
Checking with official source
License / registration
No driver's license, registration, plates or insurance; not a motor vehicle; speed tampering prohibited (CVC 24016, amended AB 545, eff. 1/1/2026)
County & city rules
Highlighted counties have local e-bike rules we've checked against an official source. Everywhere else, state law applies. Parks, trails and HOAs can still post their own rules.
Since July 1, 2025 (Marin County Code 15.58.030): no one under 16 may ride a Class 2 e-bike, and every Class 2 rider must wear a helmet at any age. Applies in unincorporated Marin and County parks; after 60 days of warnings, a violation is a $25 infraction.
Bike speed limit on county paths is 15 mph, and 10 mph on some. E-bikes stay banned on unpaved Open Space District trails. County pilot under Vehicle Code 21214.5 (AB 1778), Ordinance 3833 adding chapter 15.58; it ends Jan 1, 2029. Cities and towns in Marin adopt their own versions.
Riders must be 12+ (since Mar 26, 2026). Helmet required under 18.
No sidewalk riding (CMC 10.56.020). Banned at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue Community Parks. Dismount on trails under 5 ft wide within 50 ft of a pedestrian or horse. A minor's e-bike can be impounded; getting it back requires a safety course.
No helmet under 18 counts as unsafe riding; Over 25 mph on paths, lanes or sidewalks counts as unsafe; No riding on downtown sidewalks (Districts 1-3) unless signed, pedestrian overcrossings, business-district sidewalks, sidewalks next to schools, churches, rec centers, playgrounds, or in crosswalks; 10 mph on permitted sidewalks, 5 mph when passing
No bike riding on Ocean Front Walk between Marine St and Via Marina, except on the bike path next to it between Marine St and Washington Blvd. Reckless riding of human-powered devices on sidewalks, bikeways and boardwalks is banned.
Class 1 and 2 on county paved paths. Class 3 kept off bike paths: roads, bike lanes and park parking lots only.
Trails & paths
Bike speed limit on county paths is 15 mph, and 10 mph on some. E-bikes stay banned on unpaved Open Space District trails.
Age & helmet
Since July 1, 2025 (Marin County Code 15.58.030): no one under 16 may ride a Class 2 e-bike, and every Class 2 rider must wear a helmet at any age. Applies in unincorporated Marin and County parks; after 60 days of warnings, a violation is a $25 infraction.
Also
County pilot under Vehicle Code 21214.5 (AB 1778), Ordinance 3833 adding chapter 15.58; it ends Jan 1, 2029. Cities and towns in Marin adopt their own versions.
No sidewalk riding (CMC 10.56.020). Banned at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue Community Parks. Dismount on trails under 5 ft wide within 50 ft of a pedestrian or horse.
Age & helmet
Riders must be 12+ (since Mar 26, 2026). Helmet required under 18.
Also
A minor's e-bike can be impounded; getting it back requires a safety course.
Ord. 4344 (Nov 2025) defines unsafe e-bike riding and bans sidewalk riding downtown and in other busy areas, with a 10 mph cap where sidewalks are allowed.
Trails & paths
Citywide
Age & helmet
No helmet under 18 counts as unsafe riding; Over 25 mph on paths, lanes or sidewalks counts as unsafe; No riding on downtown sidewalks (Districts 1-3) unless signed, pedestrian overcrossings, business-district sidewalks, sidewalks next to schools, churches, rec centers, playgrounds, or in crosswalks; 10 mph on permitted sidewalks, 5 mph when passing
The city code has no rule written just for e-bikes.
Trails & paths
No bike riding on Ocean Front Walk between Marine St and Via Marina, except on the bike path next to it between Marine St and Washington Blvd. Reckless riding of human-powered devices on sidewalks, bikeways and boardwalks is banned.
