E-Bike Safety

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to address our youth and young adults' growing use of E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters. These vehicles can be useful in reducing traffic and allowing young people a means of transportation other than motor vehicles to school and other activities. However, we have seen recent increases in collisions involving our youth on e-bikes, bicycles, and scooters. The increased speed provided by E-bikes and electric scooters requires increased care in their use:

🛑 For the 2026-2027 School Year, CVUSD middle schools will be requiring signed safety contracts and issuing permits.

🛑 Electric Motorcycles are not permitted on any CVUSD campus.

🛑 Class 3 Electric Bicycles (required age 16 or older) are not permitted on any middle school campus.

🛑 Traffic rules must be followed, and helmets must be worn at all times.

🛑 Please review the information in this newsletter carefully for an overview of safety information and resources related to the use of e-bike, bicycles and electric scooters.

E-Bicycle Definitions (VC 312.5)

An electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Three classes of electric bicycles have been established:

• Class 1: A low speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor which provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of 20 mph is reached.
  
  
• Class 2: A low speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor used exclusively to propel the bicycle and NOT capable of providing assistance when a speed of 20 mph is reached.
  
  
• Class 3: A low speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a speedometer, and a motor which provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of 28 mph is reached.
  

The operator of a Class 3 electric bicycle:

👉Must be 16 years old or older.

👉Must wear a bicycle safety helmet.

👉Must not transport passengers.

👉May ride an electric bicycle in a bicycle lane if authorized by local authority or ordinance.

All electric bicycle classes are exempt from the motor vehicle financial responsibility, DL, and license plate requirements (VC 24016).

The vehicle code requires all bicyclist to follow the rules of the road. Click here for more information from the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (Motorcycle Handbook, Two-Wheel Vehicle Operation).

These are commonly referred to by brand names (Sur-Ron/Talaria/Segway), these vehicles are motorcycles. At the time of the creation of this newsletter, there is no lawful way to operate an electric motorcycle of this type on a public roadway, sidewalk or public park. These electric motorcycles are only be lawfully operated in designated Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas after registration with the DMV as a OHV.

🛑 Electric off-road motorcycles made by Sur-Ron, Talaria, Segway, and many other manufacturers are prohibited on public roads, sidewalks, or parks. These are off-road-only vehicles and are subject to impoundment if they are operated on public roads, sidewalks, or parks. The rider can be subject to citation and/or arrest.

Motorized Scooters Definition (VC 407.5(a)):

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. This device may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion. For purposes of this section, a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, a motor-driven cycle, as defined in Section 405, or a motorized bicycle or moped, as defined in Section 406, is not a motorized scooter.

Electric Scooter use and rules are covered by California Vehicle Code VC 21235; The operator of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following:

⛔ (a) Operate a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

⛔ (b) Operate a motorized scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a Class II or Class IV bikeway, except that a local authority may, by ordinance or resolution, authorize the operation of a motorized scooter outside of a Class II or Class IV bikeway on a highway with a speed limit of up to 35 miles per hour. The 15 mile per hour maximum speed limit for the operation of a motorized scooter specified in Section 22411 applies to the operation of a motorized scooter on all highways, including bikeways, regardless of a higher speed limit applicable to the highway.

⛔ (c) Operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212, if the operator is under 18 years of age.

⛔ (d) Operate a motorized scooter without a valid driver’s license or instruction permit.

⛔ (e) Operate a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.

⛔ (f) Operate a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

⛔ (g) Operate a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.

⛔ (h) Operate a motorized scooter on the highway with the handlebars raised so that the operator must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.

⛔ (i) Leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk, or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.

⛔ (j) Attach the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the roadway, by any means, to any other

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will focus on education, and collaboration with local schools, Community Resource Units, and School Resource Deputies to provide in-person education on the rules, regulations, and safe use of E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters in our communities. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will focus on education, but will also consider enforcement of violations associated with electric motorcycles and their unlawful operation.

The goal is to reduce traffic collisions, ensure safe operation, and prevent injuries, protecting the youth in our communities.

📳 Contact the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Unit: (805) 494-8200.