San Mateo County e-bike [e-moto] riders may get tickets
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Scott Mace
Mar 9, 2026, 12:57:39 AM (3 days ago) Mar 9
to Cabo Forum
E-bike riders may get tickets
Supe wants to reduce crashes
By Adriana Hernandez
Palo Alto Daily Post, Mar. 7-8, 2026
San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies may soon be handing out tickets to
speeding e-bike [e-moto] riders in San Carlos, North Fair Oaks, Portola
Valley and Woodside.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will vote whether
to pass a slate of rules relating to e-bikes that the sheriff's office
will be tasked with enforcing in the areas the department patrols, which
also includes Millbrae and Half Moon Bay.
Under the proposed rules, e-bike riders will not be allowed to carry
another passenger, be on sidewalks or exceed 750 watts.
Law enforcement has been too lax in stopping illegal e-bikes [e-motos]
from being on the street, Supervisor Jackie Speier said yesterday.
E-bikes [e-motos] that exceed 750 watts are illegal on the streets
because they can be ridden at 40 to 50 mph, Speier said. Many 10- or
11-year-olds ride their bikes with other children as passengers, putting
both children in danger, she said. Pedestrians could also be at risk if
a child is riding an illegal bike [e-moto], according to Speier.
The new policies would be enforced by the Sheriff's Office. A rider who
does not follow the rules could be fined $100 for the first violation,
$200 for the second and $500 for the third. If a minor violates the
rules, their bike may be impounded. "This industry has blown up in the
last few years. The sales for e-bikes in 2018 was 325,000. Last year it
was 1.7 million," Speier said.
Most parents are sometimes unaware that they are buying an illegal bike
[e-moto] for their children, and these new policies could help educate
them, she said.
"This issue is ubiquitous, and we've got to come up with a comprehensive
solution, and this is one of the ways we can do it," Speier said.
Redwood City will discuss setting speed limits and age restrictions for
e-bikes at a future meeting, after residents expressed concern that
policies would create unnecessary limitations for bicyclists.
Fatal crashes
The proposal comes after a 16-year-old died in Half Moon Bay while
riding an e-bike [e-moto] on Feb. 9.
In Burlingame, children riding an e-bike crashed into a car [that had
not yielded the right of way while exiting a driveway], resulting in a
chain reaction collision that resulted in the death of a 4-year-old who
was on the sidewalk on Aug. 8.
Menlo Park City School District passed an e-bike policy in November
banning class two and three models from its campuses. Children will be
allowed to use e-bikes limited to speeds under 20 mph.
Superintendent Kristen Gracia said during a November meeting that there
were many incidents involving teenagers riding e-bikes or e-scooters at
high speeds during arrival and dismissal hours.
Many student riders underestimate the risks and drive at unsafe speeds
or don't wear helmets, Gracia said.
Supe wants to reduce crashes
By Adriana Hernandez
Palo Alto Daily Post, Mar. 7-8, 2026
San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies may soon be handing out tickets to
speeding e-bike [e-moto] riders in San Carlos, North Fair Oaks, Portola
Valley and Woodside.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will vote whether
to pass a slate of rules relating to e-bikes that the sheriff's office
will be tasked with enforcing in the areas the department patrols, which
also includes Millbrae and Half Moon Bay.
Under the proposed rules, e-bike riders will not be allowed to carry
another passenger, be on sidewalks or exceed 750 watts.
Law enforcement has been too lax in stopping illegal e-bikes [e-motos]
from being on the street, Supervisor Jackie Speier said yesterday.
E-bikes [e-motos] that exceed 750 watts are illegal on the streets
because they can be ridden at 40 to 50 mph, Speier said. Many 10- or
11-year-olds ride their bikes with other children as passengers, putting
both children in danger, she said. Pedestrians could also be at risk if
a child is riding an illegal bike [e-moto], according to Speier.
The new policies would be enforced by the Sheriff's Office. A rider who
does not follow the rules could be fined $100 for the first violation,
$200 for the second and $500 for the third. If a minor violates the
rules, their bike may be impounded. "This industry has blown up in the
last few years. The sales for e-bikes in 2018 was 325,000. Last year it
was 1.7 million," Speier said.
Most parents are sometimes unaware that they are buying an illegal bike
[e-moto] for their children, and these new policies could help educate
them, she said.
"This issue is ubiquitous, and we've got to come up with a comprehensive
solution, and this is one of the ways we can do it," Speier said.
Redwood City will discuss setting speed limits and age restrictions for
e-bikes at a future meeting, after residents expressed concern that
policies would create unnecessary limitations for bicyclists.
Fatal crashes
The proposal comes after a 16-year-old died in Half Moon Bay while
riding an e-bike [e-moto] on Feb. 9.
In Burlingame, children riding an e-bike crashed into a car [that had
not yielded the right of way while exiting a driveway], resulting in a
chain reaction collision that resulted in the death of a 4-year-old who
was on the sidewalk on Aug. 8.
Menlo Park City School District passed an e-bike policy in November
banning class two and three models from its campuses. Children will be
allowed to use e-bikes limited to speeds under 20 mph.
Superintendent Kristen Gracia said during a November meeting that there
were many incidents involving teenagers riding e-bikes or e-scooters at
high speeds during arrival and dismissal hours.
Many student riders underestimate the risks and drive at unsafe speeds
or don't wear helmets, Gracia said.
John Eldon
Mar 9, 2026, 9:24:11 AM (3 days ago) Mar 9
to Cabo Forum, Scott Mace
Good! Overdue move by law enforcement.
John
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