OC To Crack Down On E-Bikes After Board Of Sup. Vote

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Orange County just passed a series of regulations that are intended to protect e-bike riders and the people around them, after the Board of Supervisors voted to approve the rules this week.

Changes include separating the devices into three categories, with different regulations for each type of e-bike:

• Class 1 E-bikes.
  • Provide pedal assist up to 20 mph.
• Class 2 E-bikes.
  • Self-propelling bikes that can reach up to 20 mph without pedaling.
• Class 3 E-bikes.
  • Provide pedal assist up to 28 mph.

According to a report published by the LAist, Class 3 E-bikes are regulated most strictly, with no person under the age of 16 allowed to operate them. Kids until 16 can ride Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes.

In addition, all people on a Class 3 E-bike are required to wear a helmet on roads, bikeways and trails.

E-bikers must also give the right of way to pedestrians and equestrians while on sidewalks, and they are not allowed to ride more than two on roads, bike lanes and sidewalks.

The new regulations also ban multiple people from riding on the same bike, except in the case of tandem bicycles or small children with their own seat, officials said.