A new ordinance was formally adopted at the Oct. 21 Poway City Council meeting to establish regulations on electric bicycles (e-bikes), including prohibiting their use by children under 12 years of age. The regulations go into effect late November (30 days after adoption), with a 60-day period during which violations would receive only warnings.
At the beginning of 2025, a new state law allowed cities to prohibit individuals under 12 years old from operating Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes. That was the foundation of this ordinance, as well as codifying state law minimum age for operating a Class 3 e-bikes (16 years old). Poway’s ordinance also requires all e-bike riders under 18 years old to wear a helmet, prohibits any operator under 18 from transporting passengers on e-bike, and imposes maximum speeds.
It also imposes other safety rules, including mandating compliance with traffic laws; prohibits use outside of sidewalks, bike trails, pathways and roadways; and requires e-bikes to keep adequate distance from, and yield to, pedestrians and equestrians. Please note: Any signage prohibiting or regulating the use of bicycles applies to e-bikes as well. Bikes (and e-bikes) are not allowed on sidewalks in a business district and maximum speed restrictions are covered in the ordinance (section 10.57.070).
The second reading of the ordinance was unanimously approved by council, with no members of the public speaking on this item at the meeting.