E-bikes are gaining popularity in California as an economical and fun option for getting around on local boulevards. With new e-bike incentive plans offered in certain cities and statewide, more people have the money to invest in this environmentally friendly means of transportation.
The extra e-bike users will be a welcome site on vehicle-packed roads, but with more riders will come the increased threat of collisions. California drivers can be counted on to behave carelessly and recklessly. Those mistakes are often bad news for defenseless e-bike riders who have just as much right to the lanes as any driver.
With the number of e-bike users only expected to increase over the rest of 2023 and beyond, it’s a good time to review some laws and smart safety precautions that all e-bike riders should know.
E-Bike California Traffic laws
California’s Vehicle Codes found in AB 1096 award e-cyclists the same rights as bicyclists on local streets. Bicyclists enjoy the same rights to the lanes as motorists. Like bicyclists, e-bike riders don’t need a driver’s license or need to obtain a license plate. You must be 16 years old or older to ride an e-bike.
E-bike riders must observe the same rights-of-way that bicyclists must observe. They are subject to speed limits and must yield to pedestrians. All cyclists must still stop for stop signs and red lights. Recently, e-bike riders were also given legal access to bicycle paths or trails, bikeways, and bicycle lanes unless a local ordinance prohibits it.
Generally, riders on e-bikes may not ride on freeways and expressways, or cross toll bridges in California. E-bikes cannot have more than one person on board.
E-Bike Safety Tips for New Riders
The Los Angeles Times warns e-bike riders to take note of how riding an e-bike can feel much different than riding a regular bike. Of course, e-bikes will usually travel faster than a regular bicycle, but e-bikes are also heavier.
An extra 15 to 25 pounds an e-bike carries can drastically change how it handles. Stopping that extra weight might also make that first ride a bit of an adventure.
It’s suggested that new e-bike owners, and those who purchase a bike through an incentive program, take their time to get the feel of steering, throttling, and braking. This should preferably be done in a safe area, away from traffic.
There are a few other things new California e-bike riders should consider:
- Stay Right: When traveling alongside cars, try to stay as far right as possible. Give drivers as much room as possible. They can be ignorant of laws that protect cyclists and they may also not be expecting to see a cyclist traveling so fast.
- Wear Bright Clothing: Put on bright colors to stay more visible to drivers during the day. Wear reflective clothing when riding in the evening and at night.
- Choose the Right Helmet: Bicycle helmets are generally approved for slower speeds. They may not fully protect you in an e-bike accident. Riders on e-bikes that travel faster should be wearing a helmet approved for motorcycles.
- Don’t Use a Cell Phone: Don’t read texts and make calls while on an e-bike. You’ll need to focus all of your attention on the vehicles around you.
- No Headphones: Putting on headphones to listen to music can cause you to miss the sound of a car’s horn. That warning may have kept you out of a collision.
- Get Your Own Horn: A horn on your e-bike could be a lifesaver for you or someone else. You can let an unfocused driver know that you are nearby. Class 1 e-bikes are also allowed on sidewalks in some cities. You may need to alert a pedestrian to your presence.
- Consider the age of the rider: Parents should think twice before getting a teen an e-bike. Young minds can struggle to make quick decisions when traveling alongside busy California traffic. A trip down a busy street and satisfying all traffic laws at the same time can be especially difficult for young people, especially for riders who haven’t yet learned to drive a car.
Staying Safe But Preparing for E-Bike Collisions
E-bikes offer people a green method of getting to work, traveling to class, and just enjoying the sunshine. But even experienced and cautious riders can be forced into devastating collisions with careless drivers. Riders may come out of an impact with broken bones, head trauma, and internal bleeding.
It’s critical that victims know their rights after a collision caused by a reckless driver. A free consultation with a skilled California E-Bike Accident Lawyer is a no-risk way to determine what you’ll need in injury recovery support to make a full physical and financial recovery.
Maison Law is an advocate for safe rides for all bicycle and e-bike riders. We want to be a safeguard for all accident victims so they can heal without worrying about how their medical bills will get paid. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review, and tell us what happened to you.
