San Carlos officer gives tips on e-bikes

[Scott Mace]

San Carlos officer gives tips on e-bikes

By Adriana Hernandez, Daily Post Staff Writer

Palo Alto Daily Post, September 18, 2025

A San Carlos deputy said he has seen children running stop signs on
e-bikes, warning the planning commission to take more precautions.
Deputy Christopher Larsen, one of the officers in the motorcycle unit in
San Carlos, told commissioners on Monday to be more cautious of e-bikes
because riders aren’t obeying the rules of the road.

There are three types of e-bikes that people are using, Larsen said.

•    A class one is a bike with an electric motor and pedal-operated,
giving riders more speed, with a maximum limit of 20 mph when riding,
Larsen said.

•    A class two e-bike needs the rider to pedal to activate the motor,
having a maximum speed of 20 mph, according to Larsen.

•    A class three e-bike’s motor only functions when the person is
pedaling, reaching a speed of 28 mph, according to Larsen.

Larsen said he has seen a few motorized bicycles that are not legal to
ride and can reach speeds of up to 30 mph.

Motorized bicycles don’t rely on pedals as they have a high-functioning
motor.

Commissioner’s kids want them

Commissioner Twisha Anand said wheels are coming her way, with her
children taking interest in them, and asked about the electric scooters.

Larsen said children should be 15 years old or have a learner’s permit
in order to ride an electric scooter. He said that, regardless of
whether you are on a bike or scooter, people should walk when crossing
the road because, in the event of an accident, they are considered
pedestrians, not vehicles.

Larsen said the police department is planning to give a presentation at
schools to better inform parents on e-bike safety.
Issues elsewhere

San Carlos isn’t the only city looking at e-bike safety, as Atherton and
Los Altos have had discussions about road safety and e-bikes.

Atherton Police Chief Steven McCulley has sent out statements to remind
riders to follow the rules of the road in town.

“We continue to see situations where riders, particularly younger
operators, may not be fully aware of traffic laws, helmet requirements,
or the speed and handling differences between e-bikes and traditional
bicycles,” McCulley said.

In Los Altos, city council banned bicyclists from riding e-bikes on the
sidewalk to prevent unsafe behavior.

The city started working on the ordinance in October after residents and
city employees saw kids popping wheelies, riding on handlebars and
treating downtown like a playground.