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Is this e-bike street-legal in California?
Pick the school or district, the e-bike, and the rider's date of birth.
Your verdict will appear here
Understand the law
California's three e-bike classes
1
Class 1 — Pedal assist
Motor helps only while pedaling, stops at 20 mph. No throttle. No state age minimum.
2
Class 2 — Throttle
Throttle can power the bike without pedaling, stops at 20 mph. No state age minimum.
3
Class 3 — Speed pedelec
Pedal assist up to 28 mph. Rider must be 16+ and wear a helmet.
The problem is real — and preventable
1,557%
rise in pediatric e-bike injuries, CHOC 2019–2024
#1
trauma ER cause at Rady Children's, 2025
11–14
most-injured age range
Kids on bikes too fast for their age
We screen the bike against the rider before they ride
Every enrollment is validated against CA Vehicle Code and the rider's age — a Class 3 bike with a 13-year-old is flagged before a permit is issued.
"Never took a class on how to ride safely"
Safety training is a required step, not an afterthought
A CHP-aligned safety module is built into enrollment — riders learn the rules of the road before they're permitted.
No accountability, inconsistent enforcement
A scannable sticker proves a bike is permitted & compliant
Schools and law enforcement can verify any permit in seconds — a consistent way to enforce district policy.
Parents don't know the rules differ by class
This free checker gives a clear answer in seconds
No signup required — every California family can check their bike, whether or not their district uses RidePermit yet.
RidePermit supports safer riding through screening, required training, and verifiable compliance. It does not replace adult supervision or guarantee against injury. Sources: UC Berkeley SafeTREC 2025; Rady Children's Hospital; CHOC.