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E-Bike Safety

 

State E-Bike Regulations 

E-bike regulations in California are governed by a combination of state vehicle codes and local municipal ordinances. Because Senate District 33 covers a distinct corridor stretching from Southeast Los Angeles down to Long Beach and Lakewood, rules regarding sidewalk riding, trail access, and enforcement vary significantly between neighboring cities.

California State Law Framework

California recognizes three distinct classes of electric bicycles (CVC § 312.5). All legal e-bikes must have fully operable pedals and electric motors capped at 750 watts (1 horsepower). 

Key Statewide Rules & Recent Updates

  • Traffic Laws: E-bikes are legally treated like traditional bicycles. Riders must obey all stop signs, traffic signals, and ride in the same direction as vehicle traffic.  
  • Rear Lighting (AB 544): Every e-bike must be equipped with a red reflector or a solid/flashing red light on the rear during all hours of operation, not just during darkness.
  • Prohibited Modifications: Unlocking or modifying an e-bike's motor to exceed state speed limits reclassifies it as a moped or off-highway electric motorcycle (eMoto), subjecting the rider to strict DMV registration, M1/M2 licensing, and asset impoundment rules.
  • No pedals? It’s an electric motorcycle, not an e-bike and requires DMV registration if it goes over 28 mph and must be insured. 

Local City Ordinances within Senate District 33

While state law defines vehicles, local municipalities control where they can be operated, specifically on sidewalks, bike paths, and public parks. 

1. Long Beach

Long Beach implements a speed-based zoning framework to protect pedestrians following a rise in traffic safety injuries:

  • Sidewalk Restrictions: Class 3 e-bikes (up to 28 mph) are completely banned from all city sidewalks. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are still permitted on residential sidewalks, provided they maintain safe speeds.
  • Multi-Use Paths: Class 3 e-bikes are heavily restricted on multi-use pathways (such as the shoreline path and the Los Angeles/San Gabriel River trails) pending ongoing city data and public works reviews.
  • Enforcement: The Long Beach Police Department utilizes community education, safety citations, and drone monitoring in high-traffic corridors to divert reckless riders and cite safety violations.

2. Lakewood

The City of Lakewood maintains a zero-tolerance policy for unsafe riding in partnership with the LA County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Lakewood Station:

  • Sidewalk Ban: Under Lakewood Municipal Code (§ 3285), riding any bicycle or motorized bike on a sidewalk is prohibited unless explicitly authorized by the California vehicle code.
  • Park & Trail Zoning: Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited on all city park property and public trails. Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on both hard and soft-surface park trails, while Class 2 e-bikes are restricted to hard-surface trails only. Speed limits on park pathways are strictly capped at 15 mph.
  • Parent Liability: Parents can be cited and fined under child endangerment considerations if a minor is caught operating an illegal/modified e-bike or riding a Class 3 vehicle under the age of 16.

3. Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Cities

(Including South Gate, Huntington Park, Paramount, Lynwood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, and Maywood)

  • Commercial Zone Sidewalk Bans: Across the Gateway Cities, municipal codes generally align with standard Los Angeles County guidelines: riding any bicycle or e-bike on sidewalks within designated commercial business districts or shopping corridors is strictly prohibited to protect storefront foot traffic. Where bicycles are permitted to ride sidewalks, they are not to exceed 5 miles per hour.
  • Standard Infrastructure Access: Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are generally welcomed on the regional multi-use river paths (like the LA River and Rio Hondo bike paths), while Class 3 e-bikes are often restricted to the adjacent roadway lanes.

Safety Resources & Reporting Contacts

  • Free Safety Training: Minors who receive a helmet or equipment violation in California may opt to complete an online California Highway Patrol (CHP) e-bike safety and training program to satisfy course requirements.
  • To Report Reckless Riding (Lakewood): Contact the LASD Lakewood Station at (562) 623-3500.
  • To Report Reckless Riding (Long Beach): Contact the LBPD non-emergency line at (562) 435-6711.
  • Educational Toolkits: The Office of Traffic Safety provides localized safety maps and interactive guides via the Go Safely California portal (gosafelyca.org).