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Can I learn on an electric bicycle (e-bike)?
Can I learn on an electric bicycle (e-bike)?
Yes Bicycle Solutions can teach you how to ride and use an e-bike properly but only if the e-bike is street legal in California. We cannot teach you how to ride or use an e-moto.
Before you purchase or ride an e-bike we highly recommend you first become proficient at riding roads while following traffic laws using a regular non-assist pedal bike. E-bikes are excellent vehicles, but with great power comes great responsibility.
E-bike pros:
Faster
Easier to pedal (less sweat)
Front and rear lights are often built in
Most e-bikes use many standard bike parts that are easily serviced
E-Bike Cons
Heavier
More expensive
The electronics and electrical parts can be more fragile and much harder to service. Also if you buy online or a less known brand, bike shops may refuse to fix your e-bike because it is too dangerous to service and could burn their shop down.
If you run out of charge, harder to pedal.
Can burn down your house or apartment building. Make sure your e-bike is UL 2849 or EN 15194 certified and that you follow all the manufacturer's directions for charging and storage. Note that UL 2271 only covers batteries and is included within UL 2849.
Tips
As with a regular bike, it is best to buy an e-bike from a local reputable bike dealer, not online.
E-bikes must follow all the same laws as bicyclists plus a few e-bike specific restrictions.
Torque sensors on an e-bike generally provide the best and most natural ride experience because they naturally magnify your power. The harder you pedal the more assist they provide. Cadence sensors tend to feel less comfortable as the assist level gets stronger or weaker less predictably.
What is an E-Bike?
What is an E-Bike?
In California as updated in 2024 by SB-1271, an e-bike:
Must have operational pedals.
Must have a motor that is 750 watts peak power or less.
Class 1 must be pedal assist only with a maximum electric assist speed of 20 mph or less. It must not be modifiable to go faster than 20 mph. Riders younger than 18 must wear a helmet.
Class 2 can be throttle or pedal assist and must have a maximum electric assist speed of of 20 mph or less. It must not be modifiable to go faster than 20 mph. Riders younger than 18 must wear a helmet.
Class 3 must be pedal assist only with a maximum electric assist speed of 28mph or less. It must not have a throttle. All riders must wear a helmet and be 16 or older. An e-bike that can switch between Class 2 and Class 3 is illegal in California. It must not be modifiable to go faster than 28 mph.
Many bike clubs do not allow class 2 e-bikes on their rides because cyclists who ride class 2 e-bikes tend to crash as well as cause crashes more frequently. While Bicycle Solutions can teach students with class 2 e-bikes we much prefer class 1 and class 3 e-bikes.
Riding an electric bicycle (e-bike) does not require a drivers license, license plate, registration, or insurance. You may use a regular bicycle helmet with an e-bike as you are going the same speeds as a regular bicycle.
Unfortunately many people confuse e-motos with e-bikes and there are a lot of street illegal e-motos rolling around.
What is an e-scooter?
What is an e-scooter?
A motorized e-scooter has 2 wheels, a motor, handlebars, and a floorboard that you can stand on while riding it.
You can generally drive e-scooters on low speed streets, roads, bicycle paths, trails, or bikeways, not on a sidewalk, and you cannot exceed a speed of 15 mph but check local laws and regulations.
You do not need to register e-scooters.
You can drive an e-scooter with any class driver’s license (16 and older) and must follow standard traffic laws.
What is an e-moto?
What is an e-moto?
An e-moto is any electric 2 or 3 wheel vehicle that is not an e-bike or e-scooter because it exceeds the above speeds or has no operable pedals or has a motor that is more powerful than 750 watts peak power.
If it looks more like a moped or a motorcycle than a standard bicycle, it is probably an e-moto and not an e-bike. If the seat is not adjustable up and down, it is probably an e-moto and not an e-bike. Most Super73 bikes are e-motos, not e-bikes, although some recent Super73s may be class 2 e-bikes.
To drive an e-moto (electric motorcycle or motor-driven cycle or moped) on a street in California, you need:
a street legal e-moto (needs brake lights, head light, mirrors, turn signals, horn, DOT-approved tires)
a motorcycle license (M1 or M2 depending on the type of e-moto),
registration,
license plate,
insurance (except mopeds), and
a DOT-approved helmet.
The exact requirements depend on the vehicle's classification, which is determined by factors like motor power and top speed.
To drive an e-moto off street on public lands, the e-moto needs an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) registration.
Most e-motos are missing features that make them street legal but they can be operated legally on private land.
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