E-bikes & E-Scooters: Information, Laws and Regulations

On January 1, 2026 California implemented new laws and regulations regarding E-bikes. Below is information about E-bikes. The brochure on this page is a printable version of the information below.

Benicia Municipal 10.28 and 10.32 prohibits the riding of some classes of E-bikes, and motorcycles and off-highway vehicles in unimproved areas and Open Space with the city limits of the City of Benicia.

CLASS OF MOTORIZED BIKE	RIDER REQUIREMENTS	WHERE YOU CAN RIDE	REGULATIONS AND RULES
Class 1 E-bike	No minimum age No driver's license required Helmet required for those under 18 years old	Bike lanes Vehicle lanes when no bike lanes are present Open space and park trails where regular bikes are allowed PROHIBITED on sidewalks	Maximum speed: 20 mph Pedal assist only Riders can carry a passenger if the e-bike has a permanent seat for the second person AND foot pegs for passenger; or an attached child carrier
Class 2 E-bike	No minimum age No driver's license required Helmet required for those under 18 years old	Bike lanes Vehicle lanes when no bike lanes are present Open space and park trails where regular bikes are allowed PROHIBITED on sidewalks	Maximum speed: 20 mph Pedal and throttle assist Riders can carry a passenger if the e-bike has a permanent seat for the second person AND foot pegs for passenger; or an attached child carrier
Class 3 E-bike	Minimum age 16 years No driver's license required Helmet required for all ages	Bike lanes Vehicle lanes PROHIBITED in Open space and park trails where regular bikes are allowed PROHIBITED on sidewalks	Maximum speed: 28 mph Pedal assist only Riders can carry a passenger if the e-bike has a permanent seat for the second person AND foot pegs for passenger; or an attached child carrier - ALL PASSENGERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR HELMETS
E-Scooters	Valid driver's license or permit required Helmet required for those under 18 years old	Bike lanes Vehicle lanes PROHIBITED in Open space and park trails where regular bikes are allowed	Maximum speed: 15 mph Only one rider at a time Cannot be on road with a posted speed limit of more than 25 mph unless there is a designated bike lane
E-mopeds & E-motorcycles	M1 or M2 driver's license or permit required Vehicle must be registered with the state Helmet required for all ages	Vehicle lanes only PROHIBITED in Open space and park trails where regular bikes are allowed	Maximum speed limit: 30 mph Riders can carry a passenger if the e-bike has a permanent seat for the second person AND foot pegs for passenger; or an attached child carrier - ALL PASSENGERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR HELMETS
E-dirt bike/ Off-highway vehicle	No driver's license to ride in permitted off road areas Off-highway vehicle registration required with the state M1 or M2 driver's license or permit is required to ride on public roads if the vehicle was manufactured for dual purpose and converted to meet the registration requirements of a regular motorcycle Helmet required for all ages	May be used in State Vehicular Recreation Areas and National Forests PROHIBITED in Open space and park trails where regular bikes are allowed PROHIBITED on public roads, unless the vehicle was manufactured for dual purpose and converted to meet the registration requirement as a regular motorcycle	Maximum speed varies CANNOT be modified with after-market pedals in order to meet the classifications of a moped. Will always be classified as a dirt bike/off-highway vehicle

Persons illegally operating off-highway electric motorcycles upon a highway may be issued a citation for violation of CVC §4000(a)(1) Unregistered vehicle on highway and/or CVC §12500(b) Unlicensed motorcycle operator on highway. Persons operating an electric off-highway motorcycle on public lands described in CVC §38001(a) may be issued a citation for violation of CVC §38020 if the vehicle is not currently identified by a California OHV Green Sticker or Red Sticker. Parents who knowingly allow a child to operate an electric off-highway motorcycle on a highway may be cited for violation of CVC §14607.
California Vehicle Code 14602.6 allows for towing of, and impoundment of vehicle for up to 30 days for license violations.
A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle to change the speed capability of the bicycle, per California Vehicle Code 24016(d).
Sur-Ron, Talaria, Ventus, E Ride Pro, Stacyc, and Stark Future off-highway electric motorcycles are specifically designed for off-highway use and not intended to be used on public roads, streets, or highways (per the manufacturer’s owner manual), and therefore they cannot be retrofitted with aftermarket equipment (lighting, braking, etc.) to make them eligible for on-highway registration. Per the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, 'Any motorcycle or vehicle originally manufactured for off-highway use cannot be converted for on-highway use, unless it is manufactured for dual purposes.'