Irvine is set to implement stricter regulations on electric bicycle riders as city officials voted last week to introduce updated rules aimed at curbing reckless e-bike riding. The city council voted 6-1 to advance measures that would hold parents more accountable and establish new speed limits on sidewalks and trails.
The move comes as more Orange County cities grapple with e-bike safety concerns, especially following recent fatalities involving electric bikes and scooters in the region. In September 2025, a minor riding an electric motorcycle died from injuries sustained in a collision in Newport Beach, and a Cal State Fullerton soccer player died after a collision while riding an electric scooter in Fullerton.
Under the proposed Irvine regulations, violations could soon be classified as misdemeanors, with reckless riders potentially facing fines up to $500 after multiple infractions. The new rules would also establish clearer guidelines for e-bike usage on roadways, sidewalks, and bike paths.
Councilmember Mike Carroll cast the lone dissenting vote, specifically objecting to provisions establishing speed limits for sidewalks.
Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent highlighted the concerning statistics during a November council meeting, noting that the 13 to 16-year-old age range is involved in about half of all bicycle collisions in the city. Of those collisions, 69% involved an e-bike.
“Our local efforts, while necessary, can only go so far,” Kent said. “The ultimate solution is a comprehensive, state-wide legislative effort.”
The city’s action aligns with new state laws taking effect in 2026 that enhance e-bike safety requirements. Assembly Bill 544, authored by Assemblymember Laurie Davies, mandates that e-bikes must have a red reflector or light with a built-in reflector at all times while operating, not just in darkness. The bill also requires minors who receive helmet violations to complete a California Highway Patrol-developed online safety and training program.
Irvine Mayor Larry Agran emphasized the urgency of addressing e-bike safety during the November council meeting, calling it “a full-blown crisis that is not soon to go away.”
Other Orange County cities that have already implemented stricter e-bike regulations include Newport Beach, Stanton, Huntington Beach, Yorba Linda, Orange, and Buena Park. Newport Beach’s regulations, approved unanimously in November, limit riding e-bikes on certain city sidewalks, require helmets for riders under 18, and provide additional penalties for violations by minors, including a process for police to impound e-bikes.
According to the City of Irvine website, e-bikes are subject to the same rules and regulations as traditional bicycles, including stopping at stop signs and riding at reasonable speeds. Riders of Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach speeds up to 28 mph, must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet regardless of age.
City staff is expected to return with final recommendations for council consideration in early 2026.
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