(BCN) — The Central Marin Police Authority advised residents in the jurisdictions it serves that minors under the age of 16 will be ticketed for riding e-bikes operated by a throttle starting next week.
The restriction, which was authorized under the state’s Assembly Bill 1778 in 2024, applies to class 2 e-bikes, which are those that have both pedal assist and a throttle and can go up to 20 mph, the Police Authority said.
The Central Marin Police Authority serves the city of Larkspur, the town of Corte Madera and the town of San Anselmo.
Teens and children under 16 can still ride class 1 e-bikes, which have pedal assist that also reaches 20 mph, but does not have a throttle. Class 3 e-bikes have pedal assist up to 28 mph and were already restricted to those 16 and up.
A 60-day grace period will expire this week, and police said they will start issuing citations and towing e-bikes starting next week.
Several Marin County jurisdictions opted into the new restrictions because the county’s Health and Human Services Department was seeing a sharp increase in serious injuries related to e-bikes since 2023.
The Central Marin Police Authority said minors between the ages of 10-15 were five times as likely to need help from 911 than older riders, including for serious injuries that required emergency room visits.
The county has created a safety video with more information on safe riding at E-BikersClub.com.
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