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ripping a wheelie on e-bike

Program 03

SAFETY-MOTO: Ride smart. Ride home.

SAFETY-MOTO

Know Before You Ride

New California e-bike laws, in five swipes. Share with a rider or parent you know.

  • Light up. A red rear reflector or red light is required at all hours, visible from 500 feet (AB 544).

  • Under 16? No Class 3. Class 3 goes up to 28 mph and is 16 and older, helmet required.

  • No pedals? Not an e-bike. Electric dirt bikes are off-highway vehicles — off-road only (SB 586).

  • No speed hacks. Modifying an e-bike to go faster than its class is illegal (AB 545).

New California e-bike laws, 2026: 4 rules every rider and every parent needs to know before the next ride.
AB 544, in effect January 1, 2026: every e-bike needs a red rear reflector, or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector, at all hours, visible from 500 feet. Under 18 with a helmet ticket: show proof of a helmet and complete an approved e-bike safety course to get the fine waived.
Under 16? No Class 3. Class 1: pedal assist up to 20 mph. Class 2: throttle up to 20 mph. Class 3: pedal assist up to 28 mph, 16 and older, helmet required. Stores can't sell a Class 3 e-bike to anyone under 16, up to a $250 fine. Police can impound a Class 3 ridden by someone under 16, with fees to get it back. AB 965 and AB 875.
No pedals? It's not an e-bike. Electric dirt bikes have a straddle seat and no pedals, and California classifies them as off-highway vehicles: DMV green sticker, off-road only, not streets or sidewalks. If it can go over 20 mph on the motor alone and the rider has no license, police can impound it. SB 586 and AB 875.
No speed hacks. Modifying an e-bike to go faster than its class is illegal, including apps and software unlocks, and selling them is illegal too. A hacked bike is no longer legally an e-bike, which can mean license, registration, and impound rules apply. AB 545.

Slide 1 of 5

Summary of 2025 California e-bike laws. Check the bill text for details.