San Marcos bans e-bikes for riders under age 12

SAN MARCOS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Marcos City Council passed strengthened regulations for e-bike riders within the city by banning e-bike use for those under the age of 12.

"I personally think that the age range should be a little bit higher, but we are doing what we can with AB 2234," said councilmember Danielle LeBlang.

San Marcos follows Chula Vista, Coronado, and Poway - all enacting the new restriction as laid out in Assembly Bill 2234. The bill took effect this year allowing cities in San Diego County to pass the age restriction as part of a pilot program set to run through 2029.

Class 3 e-bikes, that go up to 28 mph, have a state mandated minimum age of 16.

San Marcos already passed rules in 2024 that included enforcing one rider per e-bike and prohibited riding on sidewalks in business districts.

The newly passed regulations will also strengthen the city’s commitment to enforcement and education events while working with the school district and sheriff’s department.

"These are really important events for us to be out there making sure that we are educating the parents, educating the kids. We definitely don’t want to be the heavy, but we will if we need to, to make sure that they are following the rules of the road," said Mayor Rebecca Jones.

The city will have a 30-day public information campaign and then a 60-day warning period on this ordinance. After that, riders who violate any e-bike rules could face a $25 fine.

The pilot program will end in 2029 and then the legislature will decide whether to take it up statewide.