Supervisor Jackie Speier’s E-bike Study Session
May 5, 2026
Letter in Support of San Mateo County E-bike Ordinance
August 10, 2026
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
August 10, 2026
Hi President Corzo and Honorable Members of the Board of Supervisors,
I’m in strong support of the ordinance addressing electric micromobility devices in San Mateo County, proposed by Supervisors Speier and Mueller. As Chair of both the California Association of Youth Commissions (CAYC) and the Hillsborough Youth Commission, I represent youth across our county and state who experience both the benefits and the growing risks of e-bikes.
Young people deserve both the independence e-bikes provide and the protections to ride safely. This ordinance strikes that balance by promoting responsible riding and protecting pedestrians. Over the past year, CAYC has elevated the youth perspective on e-bike safety through research, education, and public policy, working locally with Hillsborough and at the state level with Assemblymember Diane Papan.
Earlier this year, we conducted the CAYC Teen E-bike Behavior and Safety Survey, a statewide survey of 270 students in grades 5-12. Our findings have been accepted for an oral presentation at the 2026 International Cycling Safety Conference, a leading scientific meeting dedicated to bicycle safety.
Our research highlights several important findings:
37% of respondents began riding an e-bike before age 12, including 11% before age 10.
64% reported never receiving formal e-bike safety education.
66% did not know what class of e-bike they ride.
52% did not know the legal speed or power limits for e-bikes.
Only 21% believed that other teens understand California's e-bike laws.
More frequent e-bike riders reported substantially higher crash involvement.
These findings underscore the importance of education and clear safety standards. We appreciate that the County strengthened this ordinance by reducing the first-offense fine, creating a true education-first option for minors, and delaying implementation until January 1, focusing on prevention not punishment.
I also appreciate the ordinance's attention to sidewalk safety, particularly around schools where students walking, biking, and riding e-bikes share the same space. Requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, limit speeds to 5 mph, and slow or dismount when necessary protects students on foot while allowing young riders to travel safely where sidewalk riding is permitted.
Our survey also demonstrates that knowledge alone is not enough: peer norms and parental expectations strongly influence riding behavior. We therefore encourage the County to partner with youth commissions, schools, parents, law enforcement, and community organizations to ensure safety education reflects how teens actually ride.
We urge the Board to adopt this balanced ordinance and put these common-sense guardrails in place before more preventable injuries occur. CAYC stands ready to partner with San Mateo County on youth outreach and education.
The data are clear, the research is growing, and the need is immediate. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to protecting young riders while preserving the independence that makes e-bikes such an important form of transportation for many young people.
Sincerely,
Anya Dalal