Foster City E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety

E-bikes and other motorized devices offer people of all ages and abilities the chance to enjoy riding with the help of an electric motor. There are many styles of e-bikes available, from mountain bikes and cargo e-bikes to beach cruisers, making them versatile and fun for various activities. These motorized devices also offer a great alternative to using a car for getting around Foster City.

If you ride or are considering riding a motorized device in Foster City, please take the time to learn what’s allowed, familiarize yourself with the applicable laws, and follow guidelines and recommendations for safe riding.

E-Bike/E-Scooter Safety Video

The City of Foster City created this video to illustrate the common rules of the road, use of the levee, riding tips, e-bike classifications and laws and demonstrates proper riding tips.

What is an E-Bike?

An "electric bicycle" is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (CVC 312.5).

Of the many styles of e-bikes out there, California specifies three types which are described below.

Type 1 e-bike:

• Pedal-assisted.
• Assisted speed maxes out at 20 mph.
• Allowed wherever regular bicycles are allowed.
• No minimum age
• No driver's license required
• Helmet required for 17 and under

Type 2 e-bike:

• Pedal or throttle-assisted.
• Assisted speed maxes out at 20 mph.
• Allowed wherever regular bicycles are allowed.
• No minimum age
• No driver's license required
• Helmet required for 17 and under

Type 3 e-bike:

• Pedal or throttle-assisted.
• Assisted speed maxes out at 28 mph.
• Prohibited from Class l and Class lV bikeways
• Minimum age 16
• No driver's license required
• Helmet required for all ages

Any e-bike that assists the rider over 28 mph is not street legal and must stay off roads, sidewalks and multi-use trails and paths.

It is against the law in California to modify or otherwise tamper with electric bicycles in a way that changes the speed capability, unless the rider also changes the bicycle’s classification. Electric bicycles with motors of more than 750 watts, and bicycles with gas motors are technically motorcycles according to the law and require Class M licenses/helmets, registration and insurance.

What to know about passengers on e-bikes

• Most e-bikes are not equipped to carry passengers. Per CVC, e-bikes can only transport passengers if there is a permanent seat or when using a child safety seat.
• Passengers are required to wear a helmet if they are under 18.
• Type 3 e-bike riders must not transport passengers.

Where You Can Ride

Foster City is unique, and thus there are a few key differences in where an e-bike/e-scooter can and cannot be ridden.

Public right of way determined by CA Vehicle Code (CVC)

• Bike paths: Type 1 and Type 2 e-bikes are allowed on the Foster City Levee. Type 3 are not allowed.
• Bike lanes: All types are allowed in bike lanes.
• Sharrows (shared roadways): All classifications are allowed in sharrows. Arrow markings painted in roadway indicate a sharrow, where the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to share the lane safely side-by-side.
• Roadways: Bicyclists/e-bikes have a right to the road even if no sharrow is present.

Levee/Trail access determined by local governments - always be sure to obey posted signage

• Type 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on all Foster City trails and paths which indicate bicycles are allowed.

Want to know more about riding locally? Check out this presentation from the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition to stay connected. 

Additional Laws:

California Vehicle Codes Pertaining to E-bikes:

People under 18 years of age must wear a helmet regardless of the type of electric bicycle (CVC 21212).

No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the event that any vehicle may be affected by the movement (CVC 21208(b)).

A operator shall not allow a person riding as a passenger, and a person shall not ride as a passenger, on a bicycle upon a highway other than upon or astride a separate seat attached thereto (CVC 21204(b)). 

• If the passenger is four years of age or younger, or weighs 40 pounds of less, the seat shall have adequate provision for retaining the passenger in place and for protecting the passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle.

Foster City Municipal Code 12.15.100 Bicycles on Sidewalks:

(a) Riding on sidewalks. Bicycles may be ridden on all sidewalks in the city at a speed not to exceed 5 miles per hour except upon sidewalks within a business district, upon sidewalks adjacent to any public-school building when school is in session, recreation center when in use, church during services, over any pedestrian overcrossing or other sidewalk where prohibited by posted signs.

(b) Sidewalks designated as multi-use trail shared sidewalks (MUTSS). Bicycles may be ridden on all MUTSS in the city at a speed not to exceed 12 miles per hour.

(e) Yielding right-of-way. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield right-of-way to any and all pedestrians. A person riding a bicycle upon entering a roadway or driveway from a sidewalk shall yield to all traffic.

E-Bike & Bike Safety Tips:

An e-bike, like any regular bicycle, is a vehicle and is required to follow all roadway rules and laws.

• Act like a car, be predictable and visible
• Use hand signals
• Wear bright or reflective clothing
• Look out for other roadway users and never assume they will see you especially at intersections
• Use your bike bell or politely say, "on your left" when passing pedestrians
• Slow down and be alert and aware of your surroundings

MOTORIZED SCOOTERS (E-Scooter)

California Vehicle Codes Pertaining to Motorized Scooters:

Motorized scooter defined in CVC 407.5

(a) A "motorized scooter" is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an electric motor. This device may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion.  (b) A device meeting the definition in subdivision (a) that is powered by a source other than electrical power is also a motorized scooter.

• Maximum speed limit is 15 MPH (CVC 22411)
• The operator must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit and they cannot be ridden on sidewalks (CVC 21235c).
• Minor’s must wear helmets while operating (CVC 21235b).
• They cannot be operated on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 MPH unless operated in a Class 2 or Class 4 bikeway, unless otherwise authorized by local ordinance. 
• On roadways with a speed limit of 25 MPH or less, they must be ridden along the right hand edge of the road/lane (CVC 21228).

Foster City Municipal Code 0.60.110:

It is unlawful for any person operating a motorized scooter, as defined by the California Vehicle Code, to operate the scooter on any levee bike path. Any person violating this section is guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable under and to the extent of the laws of this state for infractions. (Ord. 510 § 1, 2003)