e-bike rules adopted by Elk Grove as youth safety concerns grow

The Elk Grove City Council unanimously approved new regulations Wednesday night governing e-bikes, scooters and other personal transportation devices as city officials respond to a sharp increase in complaints and collisions involving the increasingly popular vehicles.

The 5-0 vote on Aug. 12 adds Chapter 10.71 to the Elk Grove Municipal Code, creating rules for bicycles, e-bikes, motorized scooters and electrically powered boards on city streets, sidewalks and trails.

The ordinance comes as e-bike injuries, particularly among younger riders, are increasing nationally. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says emergency room-treated injuries and deaths associated with e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards have been rising. Recent national injury estimates indicate riders ages 10 to 19 accounted for about 41% of emergency department visits involving e-bikes in 2024 and 2025.

Elk Grove's numbers show a similar trend.

Elk Grove Police Sgt. Shane Glaser told council members that as of Aug. 9, police had received 193 e-bike-related calls for service this year. Scooter-related calls increased from 134 as of May 27 to 204 by Aug. 9.

The city's staff report said there were 238 bicycle-related collisions from 2023 through 2025, including 27 resulting in major injuries. Bicycle collisions increased from 51 in 2023 to 110 in 2025.

Glaser emphasized the distinction between legal e-bikes and increasingly popular electric motorcycles. Under the ordinance, e-bikes have operable pedals and motors of no more than 750 watts. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes have maximum assisted speeds of 20 mph, while Class 3 models can reach 28 mph.

The ordinance generally prohibits personal transportation devices on sidewalks unless signs specifically permit them. It maintains a 15 mph speed limit on trails and prohibits reckless riding, unauthorized racing, trick riding and modifications intended to increase a device's speed beyond its classification.

During public comment, Trails Committee Vice Chair Sharon Anderson supported the ordinance, saying faster, heavier bicycles present a particular danger to pedestrians.

“At my age I can't afford to be hit by a heavy bicycle going fast,” Anderson said, adding that riders should warn pedestrians before passing.

David Baker offered a more cautious view. While acknowledging problems with reckless riders, Baker warned against an “overcorrection” that could make riding more difficult or dangerous for cyclists following the rules. He said some sidewalks provide important connections between trails and forcing responsible riders onto streets could create additional hazards.

Enforcement generated particular concern from Councilmember Sergio Robles. Under the ordinance, a first violation can be an infraction, while a subsequent violation within five years can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.

Robles questioned whether that provision could saddle teenagers with legal problems that follow them into adulthood.

“I just don't want to kind of add on to them having some legal troubles ... when they become an adult,” Robles said.

Police Chief Bobby Davis said officers will emphasize education over punishment, particularly for young riders. Routine contacts, he said, would generally be opportunities for education, while egregious conduct could result in citations.

“This ordinance isn't about punishment,” Davis said. “This ordinance is about providing opportunity to do correct behavior.”