What counts as an e-bike? Local business owner breaks down the categories

ESCONDIDO, Calif. — Electric bikes are booming in popularity across San Diego, especially among younger riders. But as their popularity grows, so does confusion about what actually qualifies as an e-bike.

Under California law, true e-bikes fall into three different categories based on how fast they go and how the motor assists the rider. To break down the difference, CBS 8 spoke with Bill Connard, co-owner of the E-bike Super Shop in Escondido.

A Class 1 e-bike provides motor assistance only when the rider is pedaling and can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.

“A Class 1 e-bike can go up to 20 miles an hour, and it does not have a throttle,” Connard said. “It only has pedal assist.”

Children under 18 years old are required to wear helmets.

Class 2 e-bikes have the same top speed of 20 miles per hour but include a throttle that can power the bike without pedaling.

“A Class 2 e-bike can also go up to 20 miles an hour, but it has a throttle on it as well,” Connard said.

Children under 18 years old are required to wear helmets.

Class 3 e-bikes are the fastest type and can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour with pedal assist.

“When you pedal, and you get your pedal-assist, it can go 28 miles an hour,” Connard said.

Because of the higher speeds, California law requires riders to be at least 16 years old to ride a Class 3 e-bike. Helmets are required for all riders regardless of age.

Connard says many vehicles people refer to as e-bikes are actually electric motorcycles.

“If you see kids running around on the streets doing wheelies or going 50 miles an hour, generally they’re going to be on an electric motorcycle,” he said. “That’s not an e-bike.”

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference is to look for pedals.

“E-bikes have pedals. Electric motorcycles have foot pegs like a normal motorcycle,” Connard said.

California law also limits e-bikes to 750 watts of power — about one horsepower. Electric motorcycles often exceed that limit and can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour or more. Meanwhile, seated electric scooters without pedals also fall into a different category and are not considered e-bikes.

Understanding the rules is important, especially for younger riders, according to Connard.

“They need to know the rules of the road, what side to pass on, how to signal, where to stop, things like that,” he said. “Kids should know the rules of the road and parents should know the rules of the road.”

He recommends riders and parents take the California Highway Patrol’s e-bike safety course to better understand the laws and safe riding practices.