Speeding Into Trouble
By Antonella Santillan and Liya Shah Sep. 23, 2026
For most high school students, getting a license can mark an important step closer to freedom. However, a growing trend among young teens is becoming an alternative: riding electric bikes, or e-bikes. E-bikes are bicycles with an integrated electric motor, allowing them to travel faster. In the Bay Area, the use of e-bikes is prevalent among students. Popular reasons why students enjoy riding e-bikes include that they make cycling easier, faster and more accessible.
“E-biking makes me happy because I can go almost anywhere I want, as if I have a car. Whenever I want to go out for a snack or just a relaxing ride, I have access to do that anytime. We often get a negative reputation as e-bike riders, but when I am out, I ensure that I follow the rules of the road and travel safely,” Sophomore Evan Raegen said.
California recognizes three classes of e-bikes, per Mercury News. Class one e-bikes have motors that work when someone pedals, reaching a top speed of 20 mph. Class two e-bikes also reach a top speed of 20 mph when the rider uses a hand throttle. Like class one e-bikes, class three e-bike motors assist when the rider pedals, but their key difference is that they are able to reach a top speed of 28 mph. Any vehicle that exceeds these limits is not legally considered an e-bike.
Only 12% of e-bikes that children in the Bay Area ride are considered class one, two or three, as per Mercury News. The remaining 88% are illegal, often because an individual makes illicit modifications, such as removing speed limiters and adding unauthorized throttles. These modifications allow the vehicles to travel faster to the point that they are no longer classified as e-bikes but as mini-motorcycles or e-motos. These high speeds severely reduce reaction time and increase the risk and force of a collision, putting not only the rider, but also pedestrians, cars and other cyclists at risk.
“Once when I was driving on Almaden Expressway, a teen on an e-bike came from the side of my vehicle and cut me off, slamming on their brakes and making me slam on my own. I then observed them swerving into another lane. I was worried for my safety and rightfully upset,” Junior Olivia Irish said.
As such dangerous situations increase in frequency, the state senate is actively working on passing bills to regulate the distribution of e-bikes in California. Lawmakers have had trouble deciding exactly how much regulation these vehicles require due to the wide range in speed, power levels and designs found among these e-bikes. If passed, Senate Bill 1167 will manage the designation and advertising of e-bikes by businesses by setting a clear limit between e-bikes and e-motos, and requiring that e-bikes have working pedals in addition to the motor. Manufacturers and sellers will be prohibited from marketing vehicles that exceed legal limits as e-bikes. Rather than directly going after consumers, the focus is on business regulation, preventing the sale of vehicles that do not meet California's legal definition of an e-bike. This bill has been passed by the second chamber and is awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval to reach enactment.
On the other hand, Assembly Bill 2595 takes a different approach by proposing a San Mateo County pilot program that would allow a local authority to prohibit children under 12 from using class one or two e-bikes. This program would allow the county to test the age-based restriction before considering whether similar regulations could be applied elsewhere. If signed by Governor Newsom, Assembly Bill 2595 will be enacted on January 1, 2027.
As California considers these proposed regulations, e-bike use continues to spread throughout the Bay Area. Future laws could shape how teens use e-bikes, and lawmakers and local communities will continue to evaluate whether additional regulations are needed for the safety of everyone on the roads.
About the Contributors
Antonella Santillan
Staff Writer
Antonella Santillan is a junior at Leland High School who is a proud member of the wrestling team. She enjoys staying at home and watching tv. She's a bubbly person who loves to make new friends.
Liya Shah
Staff Writer
Liya Shah is a freshman at Leland High School and writer for the Charger Account. She enjoys experimenting with her baked goods, reading mystery novels, and dance. Although Liya does like to write, she also has an interest in dentistry and hopes one day to become one.
Alice Gu
Artist
Alice Gu is a sophomore at Leland High School and an artist in Journalism. She likes watching anime and spending time with her friends. She likes listening to Ariana Grande and reading mangas.
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