By Staci Baird on Mar 25, 2026

E-Bike Enforcement Expected Near La Verne Schools Starting Friday

Police are expected to begin enforcing e-bike laws near schools this week. Here’s what we know, what the law says, and what could change locally.

Transportation e-bikes

The page from the La Verne Police Department educational flyer on e-bike safety explains the differences between Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3e-bikes, e-motorcycles "dirt e-bikes" and pocket bikes mini motorcycles.

The La Verne Police Department is expected to begin enforcing state e-bike laws and the local bicycle ordinance near La Verne schools starting Friday.

Two officers on pedal-assisted e-bikes will conduct enforcement on designated Fridays from school dismissal until 7 p.m., Police Sgt. Carlos Flores said in an email to La Verne Daily News. Additional patrols near parks and trails may be added, but those details are yet to be determined.

Two officers, riding pedal-assisted e-bikes, will enforce applicable vehicle code sections, with fines set by the traffic court and varying by violation, Flores said.

"We would like parents to be educated on e-bike safety, mainly to ensure the kids are riding responsibly, within applicable laws, utilizing helmets, and complying with rules of the road," he wrote. He encouraged parents to review the La Verne Police Department’s E-BIKE SAFETY flyer (pdf).

E-bike use has surged among middle and high school students in La Verne, and concerns about safety—especially near schools—have been growing.

Clearer enforcement and potential local rules aim to reduce risky riding and make expectations more consistent for students and families.

Changes to California Senate Bill 1271, effective Jan. 1, 2026, tightened safety standards for e-bikes and related batteries, including permanent labeling and product safety requirements for items sold or leased in California.

Two additional bills are getting attention in 2026, Assembly Bill 1942, introduced by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan on Feb.13, and Senate Bill 1167, introduced by Senator Catherine S. Blakespear on Feb. 18.

AB 1942 would go further than existing law by creating DMV registration and special plates for Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes, which would be a major shift from California’s traditional “no registration” approach for legal e-bikes.

SB 1167, by contrast, appears to focus on drawing a sharper line between lawful e-bikes and higher-powered e-motos, and on stopping misleading sales/marketing practices rather than registering e-bikes.

🚲 California e-bike laws (A Quick Guide)

What counts as an e-bike?
Must have pedals + motor under 750 watts

Three classes:

Class 1: Pedal assist, no throttle, up to 20 mph

Class 2: Throttle or push button pedal assist, up to 20 mph

Class 3: Pedal assist only, no throttles, up to 28 mph

E-bike riders must follow the same rules and legal requirements as traditional bike riders regarding speed limits, proper passing, and local traffic laws.

⚖️ Key rules

➡️ Helmets required for all minors.
➡️ Helmets required for Class 3 riders.
➡️ Class 3 riders must be 16+.
➡️ Class 3 bikes are restricted on some paths, unless approved by the city.

General rules

➡️ All e-bikes must have pedals.
➡️ Follow standard traffic laws.
➡️ No license, registration or insurance required.
➡️ Can usually ride anywhere bikes are allowed.

La Verne enforces local rules and state provisions. Here are some additional rules and requirements to know:

Stunt riding (wheelies, etc.)
La Verne has no specific bicycle stunt riding prohibition, but stunts (like wheelies) that endanger others can violate the state reckless-driving law and lead to a citation.

Sidewalk riding
La Verne’s municipal code 10.72.030 prohibits riding bicycles on sidewalks.

Nighttime rules
California Vehicle Code 21201(d) requires specific lights and reflectors on bicycles after dark, including a white front light visible from 300 feet, a red rear reflector or light visible from 500 feet, reflectors on pedals or ankles visible from 200 feet, and side reflectors or reflective tires.

Modified bikes
California Vehicle Code 24016 and AB 1774 prohibit tampering with e-bikes to exceed 750 watts or class speed limits (e.g., adding speed-unlock kits or power boosts). The La Verne Police Department enforces state prohibitions on e-bike modifications that exceed legal power or speed limits.

A Note About E-Motorcycles

California law uses motor-driven cycle (Vehicle Code 405) or motorcycle (Vehicle Code 400) categories for e-motorcycles. There is no special "e-motorcycle" definition. If it doesn't qualify as a Class 1-3 e-bike under 312.5, it's considered a motor vehicle and requires a valid Class M1 or M2 motorcycle license or endorsement, DMV registration, license plate, and insurance. Riders must be at least 16 for a motorcycle permit (with restrictions) or 18 for a full M1/M2 license, and helmets are mandatory for all.

Key differences from e-bikes

E-bikes (Class 1-3, ≤750W) need no license/registration for compliant models.
E-motorcycles exceed e-bike power/speed limits and lack operable pedals, so they fall under full motorcycle rules.

🏡 What Could Change in La Verne?

City staff, who are exploring rules in five areas: definitions, how and where people can ride, high-powered electric motorcycles, penalties and enforcement, and exemptions. Sgt. Flores presented a draft ordinance to the City Council in December 2025, and a revised ordinance to the La Verne Active Transportation & Infrastructure Commission on Jan. 28. However, the commission, since renamed the Transportation & Infrastructure Commission, was not ready to recommend taking the ordinance back to the City Council and provided written feedback to City staff.

The draft ordinance is still under review as staff incorporates feedback from the commission, which has extended the timeline, City Manager Ken Domer said in an email.

"The local ordinance we eventually will adopt will just add on local regulations on top of the state laws," Domer said.