Chapter 10.57
ELECTRIC BICYCLES
Sections:
10.57.030 Operational regulations.
10.57.040 Minimum age to operate electric bicycles.
10.57.050 Restrictions for passengers on electric bicycles.
10.57.060 Helmet requirements.
10.57.090 Operating electric bicycles.
10.57.100 Enforcement and penalties.
10.57.010 Scope.
This chapter shall apply to the use and control of electric bicycles operated upon any City streets, sidewalks, public paths set aside for the use of bicycles, and other property under the jurisdiction of the City of Poway. The provisions contained herein are enacted pursuant to Vehicle Code Division 16.7 (California Vehicle Code Section 39000 et seq.), and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder, pertaining to the licensing of bicycles, and California Vehicle Code Section 21206 pertaining to the regulation of the operation, use and equipment of bicycles, and are not intended to conflict in any way with the provisions thereof. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.020 Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
“Bicycle” has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code Section 231, as it may be amended by the State Legislature. “Bike” shall mean the same as “bicycle,” and the terms may be used interchangeably.
“Bicycle dealer” means any person who sells, gives away, buys or takes in trade for the purpose of resale more than five bicycles or e-bikes in any one calendar year, whether or not such bicycles or e-bikes are owned by such person or entity. The term also includes agents or employees of such person or entity.
Bicycle Lane. “Bicycle lanes” have the same meaning as in California Streets and Highways Code Section 890.4, as it may be amended by the State Legislature.
Bicycle Path. A “bicycle path” has the same meaning as in California Streets and Highways Code Section 890.4, as it may be amended by the State Legislature. A bicycle path may also be referred to as a bicycle trail.
Bicycle Route. A “bicycle route” has the same meaning as in California Streets and Highways Code Section 890.4, as it may be amended by the State Legislature.
Electric Bicycle. An “electric bicycle” has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a), as it may be amended by the State Legislature. “E-bike” shall mean the same as “electric bicycle,” and the terms may be used interchangeably.
“Class 1 electric bicycle” has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a)(1), as it may be amended by the State Legislature.
“Class 2 electric bicycle” has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a)(2), as it may be amended by the State Legislature.
“Class 3 electric bicycle” has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a)(3), as it may be amended by the State Legislature.
Highway. A “highway” has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code Section 360, as it may be amended by the State Legislature.
Traffic. The term “traffic” has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code Section 620, as it may be amended by the State Legislature.
Any vehicles not specifically defined in this code shall share their meaning contained within the California Vehicle Code, as these meanings may be amended by the State Legislature. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.030 Operational regulations.
A. Applicability of Traffic Laws. Every person riding an electric bicycle upon a street and/or sidewalk shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle under the laws of the State pertaining to the rules of the road, or by the terms of this code or other ordinances of this City applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application to electric bicycles and except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Nothing in this chapter overrides any State regulations pertaining to the operation of electric bicycles or other motor vehicles.
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21113, the provisions of the California Vehicle Code relating to traffic upon the highways shall apply to all driveways, paths, parking facilities, and grounds (including but not limited to parks) under the control of the City of Poway where public traffic (as defined in this code) is permitted. Violations of the California Vehicle Code will be enforced and prosecuted according to its provisions.
Nothing in this code prohibits a peace officer, as permitted in the course of his or her official duties, from operating any motor vehicle, bicycle, electric bicycle, equestrian animal, or other official conveyance on any property under the control of the City of Poway.
B. Obedience to Traffic-Control Devices. It shall be unlawful for any person operating an electric bicycle to fail to obey the instructions of official traffic-control signs and other traffic-control devices applicable to vehicles or bicycles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.040 Minimum age to operate electric bicycles.
A. No person under 12 years of age may operate or ride a Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycle within the City pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21214.7.
B. No person shall knowingly permit a person under 12 years of age to operate a Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycle within the City.
C. No person under 16 years of age may operate or ride a Class 3 electric bicycle within the City, as required by California Vehicle Code Section 21213.
D. No person shall knowingly permit a person under 16 years of age to operate a Class 3 electric bicycle within the City. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.050 Restrictions for passengers on electric bicycles.
A. No operator under 18 years of age may transport any passengers on any electric bicycle.
B. All persons operating an electric bicycle or riding as a passenger on an electric bicycle shall ride on a permanent and regular seat attached to the electric bicycle, or on a separate seat attached thereto, as required to comply with the requirements of California Vehicle Code Section 21204. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.060 Helmet requirements.
A person under the age of 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet when riding a bicycle or electric bicycle on a public roadway, bikeway, bicycle path, bicycle trail, or sidewalk. All bicycle and electric bicycle passengers under the age of 18 must also wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. All people operating or riding as a passenger upon a Class 3 electric bicycle shall comply with California Vehicle Code Section 21213 by wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.070 Speed.
A. No person shall operate an electric bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.
B. No electric bicycle operator shall travel over 28 miles per hour on a public highway. No electric bicycle operator shall travel over 10 miles per hour on a sidewalk. No electric bicycle shall travel at a speed greater than five miles per hour on any sidewalk in a school zone or sidewalk adjacent to any school when children are present.
C. No person shall operate an electric bicycle on a bicycle path or bicycle trail at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour, and in any event at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent under the existing conditions, or at any speed which endangers the safety of persons or property. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.080 Parking.
A. No person shall leave an electric bicycle lying on its side on any sidewalk, nor shall park an electric bicycle upon the public right-of-way, nor against a building or at a curb, except in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
B. No person may leave an electric bicycle lying on its side on any private property that is open to the public in such a manner as to obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
C. Where appropriate signs are erected, no person shall park an electric bicycle on a public highway in the area designated by such signs. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.090 Operating electric bicycles.
A. Riding of electric bicycles on any sidewalk, bicycle path, bicycle trail, or roadway is permitted unless prohibited by appropriate signs authorized pursuant to the terms of this chapter.
B. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle or electric bicycle upon a sidewalk, bicycle path, or bicycle trail, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian or equestrian, shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing pedestrians or equestrians, and shall keep a minimum distance of three feet from any pedestrians or equestrians.
C. No person shall ride or operate an electric bicycle upon any playground, park or school ground not designated as a bicycle path or route.
D. The operator of an electric bicycle shall travel in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway, regardless of whether or not the operator is in the roadway or in a bike lane. This section also applies to any sidewalk less than eight feet in width, unless there is no accompanying sidewalk on the opposite side of the street, or wherever posted signs prohibit such behavior.
E. Persons riding electric bicycles shall ride upon the appropriate and designated bike trails, pathways, and roadways within parks. No person shall ride an electric bicycle upon any tennis court, shuffleboard facility, soccer field, baseball/softball field, passive lawn areas (natural or synthetic), bocce court, pickleball court, basketball court, water/sediment detention basins, or any other sport-related facility or open field. No person may operate an electric bicycle in any manner that endangers any person (including self) or property.
F. When approaching or passing a person riding, leading or otherwise in control of a horse or other equine animal, the operator of an electric bicycle shall:
1. Yield to the equestrian;
2. Slow to a safer speed not exceeding five miles per hour and, if necessary, stop until the equestrian indicates it is safe to proceed; and
3. Avoid sudden acceleration, loud noise or other actions likely to startle the animal.
G. The City Manager or its designee may post signs along shared-use trials or crossing to notify users of any of the above requirements, specifically including those in subsection F of this section. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)
10.57.100 Enforcement and penalties.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted hereunder.
B. For the first 60 days after the effective date of this chapter, the punishment for a violation of this chapter shall be a warning notice.
C. After the first 60 days following the effective date of this chapter, violations shall be punishable as follows:
1. A violation of PMC 10.57.040(A) and (B) shall be an infraction with a fine of $25.00 pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21214.7.
2. All other violations shall be punishable as an infraction unless City officials or peace officers, upon investigation, determine that the circumstances warrant charging them as misdemeanors. All violations, excluding a violation of PMC 10.57.040(A) and (B), carry a fine of $50.00 for the first conviction and $100.00 for the second conviction. A maximum fine of up to $250.00 may be imposed for each conviction thereafter.
D. If an unemancipated minor violates this chapter, that minor’s parent(s) or legal guardian with control or custody of the minor shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed, as well as for all other consequences and liability resulting from violations of this chapter.
E. Any person cited and convicted of three or more infractions of this chapter may be barred from the use of electric bicycles in City-owned parking structures, lots, parks, or other City facilities.
F. The City shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any electric bicycle operated in violation of these provisions if the owner is not present or cannot be present in a reasonable amount of time. The owner and the owner’s legal guardian will be jointly and severally responsible for payment of any associated storage and/or impound fees prior to release of such vehicle.
G. The City shall have the authority to take and impound electric bicycles of persons found violating this chapter, and to hold the same for a period not to exceed 30 days. The owner and the owner’s legal guardian will be jointly and severally responsible for the payment of any associated storage and/or impound fees. (Ord. 877 § 2, 2025)