Vehicles: electric bicycles.

Under existing law, a person riding an electric bicycle is subject to the laws pertaining to the operation of a bicycle upon a highway. For these purposes, existing law defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions, as specified. Existing law states that these provisions do not prevent local authorities, by ordinance, from regulating the registration of bicycles and the parking and operation of bicycles on pedestrian or bicycle facilities, provided such regulation is not in conflict with the Vehicle Code. Existing law prohibits a motorized bicycle from operating on a bicycle path or trail, bikeway, bicycle lane, equestrian trail, or hiking or recreational trail, except as specified. Existing law prohibits a person under 16 years of age from operating a class 3 electric bicycle and prohibits a person or passenger from operating or riding upon a class 3 electric bicycle unless the person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets certain standards. This bill would exempt a person riding an electric bicycle from the laws pertaining to the operation of a bicycle if the exemption is from a local ordinance. The bill would authorize a city, county, or city and county to adopt and enforce local ordinances regulating the operation, registration, speed limits, and equipment requirements for electric bicycles consistent with general safety and public welfare, including imposing, among other things, speed limits, age requirements, and equipment standards, including, but not limited to, helmet and safety equipment requirements for electric bicycles. The bill would authorize a local law enforcement agency to enforce these provisions. The bill would authorize a local authority, by way of an adopted ordinance, to allow a person under 16 years of age to operate a class 3 electric bicycle, as specified.