Danville Police Conduct 19 Stops On E-Bike Enforcement Day

DANVILLE, CA — Danville officers conducted 19 e-bike violation stops on May 21, a day that Tri-Valley police departments devoted to enforcing e-bike safety rules. The town also said that officers contacted four parents regarding underage e-bike violations. Operators of a Class 3 electric bike — (a pedal-assisted e-bike with a speedometer and a motor that assists only when the rider is pedaling) — must be 16 years or older.

Police gave citations and warnings to riders of bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters for running stop signs and red lights, riding on sidewalks, and wearing earbuds while riding.

The California Vehicle Code requires e-bikes and scooters to follow the same rules of the road as regular bicycles. A Danville town ordinance also forbids electric bikes from any sidewalks in any Danville business district.

The California Vehicle Code divides legal e-bikes into three classes:

• Class 1: A low-speed pedal-assisted e-bike with a motor that assists only when the the rider is pedaling, and does not go over 20 mph.
• Class 2: A low-speed throttle-assisted e-bike with a motor used exclusively to propel the bike. It is also incapable of assisting once a speed greater than 20 mph is reached.
• Class 3: A pedal-assisted e-bike with a speedometer and a motor that assists only when the rider is pedaling. The motor stops providing assistance when a speed of 28 mph is reached.

Operators of a Class 3 electric bicycle must be 16 years or older, wear a bicycle safety helmet, and cannot transport passengers. They are allowed to ride on roads and in designated bike lanes in Danville, but not on the Iron Horse Trail. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on the Iron Horse Trail.

“We appreciated the opportunity to inform riders who may not have been aware of local and state laws, and to speak with parents about keeping their kids safe,” Danville Police Chief Thomas Rossberg said in a statement. “With two reported incidents just this week of minor injuries to pedestrians by e-bikes on sidewalks Downtown, this was a timely effort and hopefully will help prevent more serious conflicts.”

See here for Danville regulations for e-bikes, motorized scooters, and more, and here for state laws.