Marin County Moves to Restrict E-Bike Use for Children Under 16

Board of Supervisors deliberates ordinance to ban Class 2 e-bikes for minors, mandate helmets, and launch a safety campaign.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors is voting today on a proposed ordinance to ban children under 16 from using Class 2 e-bikes.
Class 2 e-bikes, which feature a throttle and can reach speeds of up to 20 mph, have been linked to a rise in serious injuries among young riders.
The ordinance would also require mandatory helmet use for all e-bike riders and launch a safety education campaign in May.
If passed, the law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to unincorporated areas of Marin County, with other cities considering similar measures.
Class 1 e-bikes, which require pedaling to engage power, would remain an option for children under the proposed rules.