Orange County to get new, stricter electric bicycle laws

Orange County, California, is set to enforce new regulations for electric bicycles starting in April 2025, reflecting growing safety concerns amid rapidly increasing e-bike use. According to county supervisor Katrina Foley, e-bike-related accidents have surged by an alarming 500% since 2020, prompting local authorities to introduce stricter rules aimed at curbing dangerous riding behaviors and enhancing public safety.

The new regulations will define clearer speed limits and classifications for e-bikes, particularly distinguishing them from more powerful electric motorcycles. Notably, any two-wheeled electric vehicle producing more than 750 watts of power will fall outside the e-bike category, which aligns with California’s new, more clearly delineated regulations for electric bicycles. Enforcement officials will have clearer guidelines to identify and regulate vehicles appropriately.

Local communities within Orange County have voiced concerns about unsafe e-bike practices, especially on sidewalks and pedestrian-heavy areas. Cities like Cypress are specifically targeting Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes, capable of speeds up to 28 mph, due to their higher risk of causing serious accidents involving pedestrians and younger riders. Cypress officials have already taken steps to restrict these faster e-bikes from sidewalks entirely.

Orange Police Chief Adam Jevec highlighted enforcement challenges, citing incidents where certain modified e-bikes reached speeds up to 50 mph—far exceeding the legal limits intended for traditional bicycles. However, such instances often cited by police and regulatory officials are usually related to larger Sur Ron-style electric motorbikes and not the smaller electric bicycles more commonly seen around California cities. Recent targeted enforcement operations by local police have resulted in numerous citations, demonstrating authorities’ commitment to actively policing these new regulations.

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Advocates from the OC Bicycle Coalition have urged authorities to develop uniform regulations across the entire county, pointing out that inconsistent rules from city to city create confusion for riders and enforcement officials alike. Coalition Director Bill Sellin argues that unified regulations would provide greater clarity, facilitate compliance, and ultimately improve safety conditions county-wide.

These changes in Orange County are part of a broader trend across California and the U.S., where communities are adapting to the rapid growth of electric bicycles.

Recently, California state legislators introduced proposals to standardize speed restrictions and enhance safety education for young riders statewide. Additionally, major cities like San Diego and San Francisco have implemented stricter guidelines regarding the use of electric scooters and bikes in densely populated areas.

Nationally, several states have also revisited their e-bike legislation, emphasizing clearer definitions, mandatory safety equipment, and restricted access to certain public spaces. As e-bike adoption continues to grow and more members of the public adopt electric bicycles for alternative transportation, similar legislative shifts are likely to occur across the country following growing waves of e-bike adoption rates.

via: Voice of OC