New California law will target the parents of child e-bike riders

Another year and another set of e-bike restrictions. California riders are about to see some notable changes, as several new e-bike and electric motorcycle laws are set to take effect next week. Beginning January 1, 2026, a package of safety-focused regulations will officially go live, aimed at addressing the rapid growth of electric micromobility across the state.

Key among the new laws is a provision for citing the parents of minors who commit offences while riding electric bicycles. The new rules also clarify how enforcement will work, particularly when minors are involved. Depending on the situation, citations for e-bike violations can be issued either to the minor rider or to the parent.

Minors cited specifically for helmet violations will have the option to clear their fines by completing a CHP-approved safety course, according to San Diego affiliate CBS8.

Another small rule change comes in the form of Assembly Bill 544, which introduces a new visibility requirement. Under the law, all electric bicycles must be equipped with either a red rear reflector or a solid or flashing red rear light that includes a built-in reflector. Importantly, this safety equipment is not just for nighttime riding – it must be used during all hours of operation, including daytime riding.

While most new e-bikes come with both a red rear reflector and a red light already, these can often be broken over time, leading to the issue where older e-bikes are frequently ridden at night without any rear lighting or reflectors.

Beyond just electric bicycles, California is also tightening regulations around off-highway electric motorcycles like Sur Rons and Talarias, increasingly referred to as “e-motos”. These vehicles will now be required to register with the DMV and receive either a red or green off-highway tag, determined by the manufacturer.

Perhaps most significantly, these light electric dirt bikes are explicitly prohibited from operating on public roads, sidewalks, or walkways. They must remain in approved off-highway areas and comply with all existing off-highway vehicle laws and standards.