The Rulebook · draft under verification

E-bike law in California.

The rules at a glance

Max motor power: 750 W
Top assisted speed: 28 mph
Minimum age: 16+ (Class 3)
Helmet: Helmet required for Class 3 and for all riders under 18
Licence required: No
Registration required: No

The three classes

Class	Assist	Top speed	Throttle
Class 1	Pedal-assist	20 mph	No
Class 2	Throttle + assist	20 mph	Yes
Class 3	Pedal-assist	28 mph	No

107 USD-priced models in the index publish specs within these limits

Official source

What the statute actually says

California Vehicle Code 312.5: 750 W cap, Class 1/2 to 20 mph, Class 3 to 28 mph; amended by SB 1271 eff. Jan 1 2025. URL live (official CA Legislative Info). [Source: California Vehicle Code 312.5]. Draft — verify against the current statute before relying on it.

Draft summary under verification — not legal advice. Summaries were ported from Redtail eBikes' rulebook research (pulled 2026-07-03) and are being re-verified against the official sources linked above. State law changes; confirm before you rely on it.