1 Review of
Personal Mobility
Device Usage in
Burbank
City Council
March 11, 2025
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 • Illegal on all city roadways if they do not meet
the requirements of a motorized bicycle
• Devices that fall outside e-bike classifications
are not legally allowed to operate on public
roadways
• Several devices can reach speeds exceeding
50 mph
• Can create concerns for the community
Motorized Devices
3 Personal Electric Mobility Devices
Electric Mobility or Micromobility Devices:
• Electric Bicycles (e-bikes)
• Electric Scooters (e-scooters)
• Electric Skateboards
• Hoverboards or Self-Balancing Boards
• Electric Unicycles
These devices have surged in popularity since 2020 based on the following:
• Convenience for short-distance travel
• Cost effectiveness
• Perceived environmental benefits
The notable increase in e -mobility devices has prompted discussions on:
• Safety
• Need for additional regulations and enforcement
4 E-Bikes and E-Scooters
Section 312.5(a) CVC defines an e -bike as the
following:
An “electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with fully
operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750
watts.
• Class 1 : “low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle” • Class 2 : “low-speed throttle -assisted electric
bicycle”
• Class 3 : “speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle”
Section 407.5(a) CVC defines an e -scooter as
the following:
A “motorized scooter” is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an electric motor.
5 E-Bikes
License Requirements : Not required
*Class 3 e-bike operators must be 16 or older and must wear a helmet E-Scooters
Registration and Insurance Requirements : All e-bike classes are exempt from the motor vehicle financial responsibility and license plate requirements (24016 CVC)
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Manufacturer Requirements : Manufacturers and distributors of e-bikes SHALL apply a permanent label affixed to the e- bike containing the classification number and top assisted speed and motor wattage
License Requirements : Operators must possess a
valid driver’s license or instruction permit
Registration and Insurance Requirements :
E-scooters are exempt from the motor vehicle
financial responsibility and license plate
requirements (21224 CVC)
6 Bikeway Facility Types
Class I – Bike Path :
Fully separated bike
facilities designated for
exclusive use by
bicyclists and
pedestrians
Class II – Bike Lanes :
A portion of the
roadway that is striped
for one-way bicycle
travel
Class III – Bike
Route:
Shared roadway with
bicyclist and/ or
motor vehicle traffic
Class IV – Separated
Bikeway:
Protected bike lanes
7 Challenges for Enforcement
• Vague or inconsistent regulations
• Unclear rules on restricted areas
• Evolving legislation
• Lack of clear definitions for devices
• Lack of penalties
• Riders unaware of regulations
8 8819
8576
9597
8000
8500
9000
9500
10000
2020 2021 2022
Total Bicycle -Involved Crashes
Total Bicycle-Involved Crashes
153 140
173
0 50
100
150
200
2020 2021 2022
Total Bicycle Fatal Victims
Total Bicycle Fatal Victims
Increase in total bicycle-involved
crashes since 2020
Average of 155 pedestrian fatal
victims per year over a 3-year span
*Based on Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) data Statewide Bicycle Collision Data*
9 23
32 27
18 40
0 0 1 1
6 1 1 1 2
4 0
5 10
15 20
25 30
35 40
45 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bicycle Collisions E-Bike Collisions E-Scooter Collisions Burbank Bicycle & E-Mobility Device
Collision Data
10 Modifications or “Out of Class Electric
Bicycles”
• Tinkering prohibited
• E-Bikes are defined and classified under
California law
• It is unlawful to modify an electric bicycle
outside of manufacturer labels and ratings
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
11 • Rider education
• Underreported crashes
• Coding e-bike crashes
• Enforcement of e-bike laws
• E-bike pursuits
• Stolen e-bikes
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Statewide E-Mobility Concerns
12 POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Assembly Bill 1946 required the California Highway Patrol to develop a statewide safety and training program
based on evidence-based practices for users of electric bicycles (e-bikes) by September 1, 2023 .
Education and Enforcement
www.chp.ca.gov
Electric Bicycles – Education and Training
13 State Legislation
• Assembly Bill 1774 (Effective 2025)
• Prohibits modifications that allow e-bikes to exceed 28 mph • Bans the sale of devices that modify e-bike speeds
• Requires updated labeling if an e-bike is modified to function as a different class
• Senate Bill 1271 (Effective January 1, 2026)
• Defines an electric bicycle as one equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts
• Clarifies definitions for Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes • Prohibits the advertisement, sale, or labeling of specified non-compliant devices as electric bicycles
• Establishes battery safety standards for e-bikes
14 State Legislation
• Assembly Bill 1778 (Effective 2025)
• Authorized Marin County to prohibit individuals under 16 from operating Class 2 e-bikes.
• Assembly Bill 2234
• Authorized San Diego County to prohibit individuals under 12 from operating Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes.
15 Is it LEGAL to ride electric mobility
devices on the sidewalk?
E-bikes: YES – Unless prohibited by local ordinance
E-scooters: NO – Prohibited pursuant to 21235(g) CVC
As of 2025, there is no statewide law that prohibits the operation of bicycles on sidewalks. Section 21206 CVC allows local governments to regulate the operation of bicycles on public sidewalks.
16 Moving Forward
• The Burbank Municipal Code requires updates to specifically address e - mobility devices
• Define various types of e-mobility devices
• Define rules for safe operation
• Outline penalties for violations
• Designate restricted areas where e-mobility devices are prohibited • CVC grants local authorities the power to prohibit the use of e- mobility devices in certain areas, including equestrian, hiking, bicycle path, and recreational trails (CVC 21207.5 and CVC 21230) • Increase education efforts to ensure public safety
17 Questions?
Lieutenant John Pfrommer
Traffic Bureau: 818-238-3100
POLICE
DEPARTMENT