Regulating young electric-bike users is a San Diego County-wide trend that appears headed to downtown San Diego.
San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo’s Safe Routes to School initiative will include new e-bike regulations for children downtown and across the city.
“What we’re proposing are clear, enforceable standards that will curb dangerous driving and result in safer streets for everyone,” Campillo said. “We need more common-sense legislation like this.”
Campillo’s initiative seeks to create an age limit of 12 for riders, and would disallow two riders on an e-bike designed for one person. He’ll present his proposal to the Public Safety Committee on March 11 before going to the full city council for approval.
If approved, Campillo said a public outreach campaign would be launched.
“E-bike safety has become a growing concern in neighborhoods across our city,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said in a statement. “SDPD fully supports regulations that provide clear, reasonable rules to allow officers to address unsafe behavior while keeping education at the forefront.”
E-bike injuries doubled every year from 2017 to 2022, according to JAMA Network Open.
Just last week, a 60-year-old woman went to an intensive care unit after crashing an electric moped in East Village; an 11-year-old Scripps Ranch boy was seriously injured after crashing his e-motorcycle at a park; and a 24-year-old male on an e-bike was struck by an SUV in University City.
Safe Walkways SD Co-Chair Janet Nelson says the proposed restrictions are in the best interest of the community.
“Cycling is a great activity, but our children’s safety and the safety of pedestrians is extremely important,” Nelson said. “The e-bike legislation is in response to injuries and dangerous conditions created by children using e-bikes.”
However, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Chloé Lauer says banning e-bikes for youth is one way to change behavior but is not the most effective or efficient way.
“We believe that bikes (including e-bikes) are an essential part of moving residents through our region,” Lauer said. “Enforcing existing traffic laws, adjusting street design and improving infrastructure, and increasing driver awareness are all more effective ways to improve safety without restricting the mobility of law-abiding riders.”
Lauer is well aware of new e-bike ordinances proliferating in San Diego County and she doesn’t see it as a positive trend.
An e-bike is a bicycle that’s equipped with an electric motor and battery that provides pedal assistance or throttle power. Classes of e-bikes include: Class 1 (pedal-assisted, top speed of 20 mph); Class 2 (throttle-assisted, top speed of 20 mph): Class 3 (pedal-assisted, with a speedometer, top speed of 28 mph).
Other cities with recently implemented e-bike ordinances include:
Carlsbad. The age limit is 12 (and could rise to 16). Sidewalk riding is prohibited in most areas. Police can impound e-bikes for reckless riding by minors.
Chula Vista: Age limit is 12 for Class 1 & 2. No sidewalk riding allowed in business districts. Class 3 bikes are banned from all sidewalks.
Coronado: The first city to opt into the under-12 ban, in January 2025. Groundwork was set by State Assemblymember Tasha Boerner’s Assembly Bill 2234 in 2024.
Encinitas: Currently considering allowing e-bikes to be confiscated for reckless operation.
Oceanside: As of February 28, 2026, e-bikes may be temporarily seized for reckless operation or for two or more citations (no age limit).
Poway: Age limit is 12 for Class 1 & 2 e-bikes; age limit is 16 for Class 3.
Santee: Age limit is 12 for Class 1 & 2 e-bikes. Parents/guardians face $25 fines for violations by underage riders.
Other notes:
- Helmets are required for all riders under the age of 18 and are required for riders of all ages on Class 3 e-bikes.
- E-bikes are generally allowed on the sidewalks in the City of San Diego, except in business districts.
- Riding on the sidewalk is prohibited in Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista and Poway.
- Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on most pathways and trails in county parks.
- Class 3 e-bikes are strictly prohibited on all county trails and parks. SDSun
