SACRAMENTO, CA — The California State Legislature has approved Assembly Bill 2595, Assemblymember Diane Papan’s legislation to strengthen e-bike safety for youth in San Mateo County.
“E-bikes are great mobility options that are rapidly increasing in popularity,” said Papan. “But as usage is increasing, so are the rates and severity of injuries, particularly among our youth.”
AB 2595 establishes a pilot program in San Mateo County authorizing local jurisdictions to restrict the use of Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles to children 12 years and older. The measure will give the local communities tools to address growing public safety concerns surrounding young riders operating powerful e-bikes on neighborhood streets, bike paths, and around school campuses.
“AB 2595 gives local communities the ability to respond thoughtfully and responsibly while emphasizing education, public awareness, and data-driven policymaking,” said Papan.
The bill also includes strong accountability and data collection requirements. Local governments participating in the pilot program would be required to conduct community outreach and report enforcement activity, collisions, injuries, and other safety outcomes back to the Legislature. This data will help inform future statewide discussions and policymaking related to youth e-bike safety.
AB 2595 now heads to the Governor’s desk for approval.
