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The Elk Grove City Council unanimously approved new rules Wednesday governing e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal transportation devices, including restrictions on where and how they can be ridden.
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, personal transportation devices were banned on sidewalks unless a sign specifically allows them. The city defines personal transportation devices as Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles, motorized scooters and electrically motorized boards.
Any mode of transportation with a motor capable of more than 750 watts is banned on all sidewalks. Bicycles continue to be allowed on sidewalks.
When riding on a permitted sidewalk, bicyclists and personal transportation device users must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and give them an audible, non-disruptive warning when passing.
Bicycles and personal transportation devices are allowed on city bikeways and trails unless otherwise posted. On bike paths or shared-use paths that provide a separated right-of-way for bicycles and pedestrians, the speed limit is 15 mph, and vehicles with motors capable of more than 750 watts will not be permitted.
Not every electric ride is an e-bike
California law draws a clear line between legal e-bikes and faster electric vehicles based on how they provide power and their maximum assisted speed. Electric motorcycles, often called e-motos, and stand-up scooters follow different rules, including licensing, registration and where they may legally operate.
- Pedals
- Yes
- Throttle
- No
- Assistance
- Pedal-assist
- Top speed
- 20 mph
- Motor limit
- 750 watts
- Min. age to ride
- None
- Helmet req.
- If under 18
- Driver’s license
- No
- Registration
- No
- Pedals
- Yes
- Throttle
- Yes
- Assistance
- Throttle-assist
- Top speed
- 20 mph
- Motor limit
- 750 watts
- Min. age to ride
- None
- Helmet req.
- If under 18
- Driver’s license
- No
- Registration
- No
- Pedals
- Yes
- Throttle
- No*
- Assistance
- Pedal-assist*
- Top speed
- 28 mph
- Motor limit
- 750 watts
- Min. age to ride
- 16 years old
- Helmet req.
- For all riders
- Driver’s license
- No
- Registration
- No
- Pedals
- No
- Throttle
- Yes
- Assistance
- No
- Top speed
- Varies
- Motor limit
- >750 watts
- Min. age to ride
- 16 with license
- Helmet req.
- For all riders
- Driver’s license
- Yes
- Registration
- Yes†
- Pedals
- No
- Throttle
- Yes
- Assistance
- No
- Top speed
- Varies
- Motor limit
- N/A
- Min. age to ride
- 16 years old
- Helmet req.
- For all riders
- Driver’s license
- Yes
- Registration
- No
* California law defines Class 3 as pedal-assist. Some manufacturers sell Class 3 bikes with throttles limited to 20 mph, but the defining feature is pedal assistance up to 28 mph. † The DMV requires Off-Highway Vehicle registration; riders must possess a driver’s license.
Sources: California Department of Justice, Department of Motor Vehicles
Graphic: DANIEL HUNT • [email protected]
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Gasoline-powered vehicles will be banned on all but specific “bike routes,” defined as “a bikeway which provides a right-of-way on-street or off-street, designated by signs or permanent markings and shared with pedestrians and motorists.”
Passengers without a seat or designated footrests are not allowed on personal transportation devices in the city.
E-motorcycles — vehicles that rely entirely on throttle power and do not qualify as e-bikes under state law — are banned on pathways in the city and are restricted to “off-highway usage” in the city.
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The ordinance also bans reckless or unauthorized racing, trick riding and other unsafe riding behaviors.
Violators can receive an infraction for the first violation and a misdemeanor charge if they violate the rules again within a five-year period, according to the staff report. The fine for the first offense is $100, and a second offense within 12 months carries a $200 fine, Elk Grove Police Department Sgt. Shane Glaser said at the meeting.
The city may also impound the vehicle for up to 30 days and dispose of it if the owner does not claim it and pay any required fees after 60 days.
“This ordinance is needed because over the past several years, we have seen a significant change in how these devices are being used in our community,” Glaser said at the meeting. The current city code did not address e-bikes and other personal transportation devices.
A total of 176 collisions involving other bicycles and 115 involving pedestrians occurred in the city between 2023 and May 27 of this year, Glaser said at the meeting.
The Elk Grove Police Department saw a “significant increase in calls for service involving e-bikes and scooters,” according to the staff report. Calls regarding scooters almost doubled from 128 in 2023 to 245 in 2025.
Calls regarding e-bikes grew from seven in 2023 to 62 in 2025, and there have already been approximately 122 in 2026, the report said.
Elk Grove Police Chief Robert Davis said the department’s philosophy is “education first, enforcement second,” especially regarding the safety of minors.
Elk Grove Police Department officers will be at Elk Grove Unified School District schools this week to help educate students and parents about safety, Glaser said.
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The ordinance will go into effect in 30 days, according to the staff report.