Californians over the age of 12 who don’t have a driver’s license could soon need one to ride e-bikes.

California Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner has authored such legislation, known as Assembly Bill 2234, which she announced in a Feb. 9 press release.

Children under 12 would also be prohibited from riding e-bikes under the legislation.

“Owning and riding an e-bike is a big responsibility, and it is crucial that children and their parents understand the liability they take on when they get on an e-bike that can go nearly 30 miles per hour,” Ms. Boerner said in the press release.

The bill would create a training program for those over 12 without an active driver’s license through partnerships with the DMV and the California Highway Patrol. Experts in the e-bike industry would also create training materials for the three different e-bike classes, which are numbers 1 through 3 and are divided by speed and throttle capabilities.

Existing California law prohibits children under the age of 16 from riding class 3 e-bikes, which can travel up to 28 miles per hour.

Some cities in California have passed e-bike regulations including the City of Carlsbad, a sponsor of the bill.

“As a former police officer, I have seen the devastation of traffic fatalities firsthand. We need to do everything we can to prepare young e-bike riders to ride safely on our streets,” Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn said in the release.

A selection of electric bicycles at E-Bikes of Holmes County in Ohio. (Courtesy of David Mullett)

Ms. Boerner cited data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System—a U.S. system for tracking product related injuries—which found nearly 4,000 e-bike injuries occurred nationwide between 2011 and 2020. A study by the group revealed injuries increasing during that same time period for children aged 10 to 13 years old, who accounted for nearly half of all injuries. Children under 14 made up 72 percent of injuries during the study period.

In Southern California’s Orange County, some cities already have passed their own ordinances to regulate e-bikes.

In San Clemente, class 3 e-bikes are not allowed on San Clemente trails, and all e-bikes are banned from the San Clemente Beach trail.

The City of Irvine  also adopted an ordinance regulating e-bikes last summer, limiting speeds to 20 mph on city bike paths and trails and 28 mph on city streets.

San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava additionally said in the press release the bill is needed as e-bikes continue to catch on.

“The popularity of e-bikes is growing across age groups and abilities, and it is paramount for policymakers to create methods for them to co-exist with pedestrians as a safe mobility option. ...  In partnership with local organizations and leaders like Assemblymember Boerner, we can educate the public on responsible ridership and provide new opportunities for access and travel across San Diego,” he said.