San Diego, California Considers New E-Bike Restrictions for Riders Under 12

Last Updated on June 23, 2026 by Kristina

San Diego, California could soon adopt new e-bike restrictions aimed at improving rider safety among younger children.

The San Diego City Council is considering a proposed ordinance that would prohibit children under the age of 12 from riding Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. The proposal follows growing concerns about e-bike safety and a significant increase in reported e-bike collisions throughout the city.

If approved, San Diego would join several nearby communities that have already implemented similar age-based restrictions for younger riders.

What the Proposed Rules Would Do

Under the proposal, children younger than 12 years old would not be permitted to operate:

• Class 1 e-bikes (pedal-assist up to 20 mph)
• Class 2 e-bikes (throttle-assisted up to 20 mph)

The ordinance would also prohibit passengers on e-bikes unless the bicycle is specifically designed and equipped to carry a passenger.

Supporters argue that even legal Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can travel significantly faster than traditional bicycles and may be difficult for younger children to operate safely in traffic, on shared-use paths, or around pedestrians.

Why Is San Diego Considering the Change?

City officials say the proposal is being driven by increasing safety concerns and a rise in e-bike-related crashes.

According to San Diego Police Department data, reported e-bike collisions increased from 23 incidents in 2021 to at least 84 incidents in 2025. Officials say many of these crashes involve younger riders and have resulted in serious injuries.

Local leaders have also cited complaints from residents regarding speeding, unsafe riding behavior, and conflicts between e-bike riders, pedestrians, and traditional cyclists.

The Role of California Assembly Bill 2234

The proposal is possible because of California Assembly Bill 2234, which allows local governments within San Diego County to establish a minimum rider age of 12 for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes.

Prior to the legislation, California law did not establish a minimum age for riders of Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes. The bill created a pilot program that gives San Diego County communities greater flexibility to address local safety concerns.

Several nearby cities have already adopted similar restrictions.

Other San Diego County Cities Have Already Acted

San Diego is not the first local government to consider stricter age requirements.

Communities such as San Marcos and La Mesa have already approved ordinances restricting children under 12 from operating Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes.

Similar efforts are taking place elsewhere in California. For example, Tustin recently began enforcing a new e-bike ordinance focused on rider safety, education, and enforcement measures. You can read more in my article on Tustin, California Begins Enforcing New E-Bike Ordinance to Improve Rider Safety.

Supporters of these measures argue that they help improve safety while still allowing older children and teens to use e-bikes for transportation and recreation.

Current California E-Bike Laws

Under current California state law:

• Class 1 e-bikes have no statewide minimum rider age
• Class 2 e-bikes have no statewide minimum rider age
• Class 3 e-bikes require riders to be at least 16 years old
• Riders under 18 must wear a helmet

If the San Diego ordinance is approved, it would create a stricter local requirement than California’s statewide rules for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes.

If you ride in California, you can learn more in my California E-Bike Laws Guide.

Why Local Rules Matter

One challenge for riders is that local regulations can vary even within the same state.

A rider may be operating legally under California state law but still need to follow additional local ordinances regarding age requirements, trail access, park access, or where e-bikes may be ridden.

Before riding in a new city or county, it’s always a good idea to check local regulations in addition to state law.

You can also use my State-by-State E-Bike Laws Guide to compare regulations across the country.

If you’re unsure whether e-bikes are permitted on a specific trail, my Trail Access Checker can help you quickly verify access rules and restrictions.

You may also want to review my Sidewalk E-Bike Laws Guide, which explains where sidewalk riding is allowed, prohibited, or restricted throughout the United States.

What Happens Next?

The proposal has already been approved by the San Diego City Council’s Public Safety Committee and now awaits consideration by the full City Council.

If approved, officials are expected to continue emphasizing rider education, safety awareness, and responsible riding practices alongside any new restrictions.

My Take

I understand why city leaders are looking at additional safety measures.

Today’s e-bikes are faster, heavier, and more capable than the bicycles many of us grew up riding. Even a legal Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike can accelerate quickly and maintain speeds that may be difficult for some younger children to manage safely.

At the same time, age alone does not always determine whether someone is a safe rider. Some younger riders are extremely responsible, while some older riders make poor decisions.

Personally, I’d like to see continued investment in rider education, helmet use, safety training, and enforcement against reckless riding behavior.

Some safety advocates argue that higher-powered e-bikes and e-moto-style vehicles deserve greater attention, while others believe age restrictions are an important first step. The debate will likely continue as cities across the country search for ways to improve safety while preserving the transportation benefits that e-bikes provide.

One thing seems clear: as e-bike ridership continues to grow, more communities will be evaluating their own local regulations. Riders should stay informed because changes like these often begin locally before spreading to other cities and states.

For more news on electric bikes click here