Merced County police remind riders, parents about rules of e-bikes, e-scooters
Now that school is out, Merced County law enforcement is reminding riders and parents about the rules regarding electric bicycles and motorized scooters.
The Merced Police Department posted a reminder on its Facebook page Wednesday about what is and isn’t an e-bike and how to ride responsibly. The Atwater Police Department made a similar post on Thursday, and included e-scooters in its reminder.
The Central Valley has seen a surge of serious e-bike and e-scooter injuries, including deaths. Injuries treated at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera jumped from 11 in 2023 to 41 in 2025, with 22 cases already recorded in the first four months of 2026.
According to REI.com, there are three categories for e-bikes:
- Class 1: The motor kicks in only when you’re pedaling, and the assist stops helping at 20 mph.
- Class 2: E-bikes have a pedal-assist mode up to 20 mph; they also offer a throttle-powered mode that doesn’t require pedaling.
- Class 3: Like a Class 1 e-bike, the motor kicks in only when you’re actively pedaling, but it stops helping at 28 mph.
Merced police said if a bicycle or motorized vehicle is equipped with a motor that exceeds 750 watts, it is not considered an e-bike under California law. Instead, it may be classified as a moped, motor-driven cycle or motorcycle and may require DMV registration, liability insurance and more.
All riders and passengers under 18 years old on e-bikes and e-scooters must wear a helmet under California law.
“Parents play a critical role in keeping young riders safe,” the Merced police Facebook post said. “Please take time to discuss traffic laws, ensure your child’s bike is age-appropriate and compliant, and require proper safety equipment every time they ride.”
Merced police school resource officers are not at schools during summer break, so they will continue conducting bicycle and e-bike enforcement throughout the city, the post said.
Atwater police also warned about the use of e-scooters and warned that riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
Parents should be educated about e-bikes, e-scooters
While riders of e-bikes and e-scooters can be issued citations and could even have their vehicles impounded, law enforcement in the Central Valley has more often emphasized educating riders and parents and encouraging safety.
“What we’ve seen is many parents don’t always understand what they’re buying their kids — sometimes they’re buying full motorcycles that have been marketed like an e-bike,” Clovis police Sgt. Abby Padgett told The Fresno Bee. “So now, their kids are riding on vehicles that can go up to 60 mph and they’re smashing down the street or sidewalk. And that’s not street legal.
“You also have some of those who aren’t following the rules of the road. They’re popping wheelies.”
It’s important for parents to understand exactly what they’re buying and letting their children drive.
“Some people will say, ‘Let the kids have their fun,’“ Padgett said. “Well, some of what they’re doing isn’t street legal. And it’s not fun when someone dies.”
The Fresno Bee’s Bryant-Jon Anteola contributed to this report.
