La Mesa will soon become the latest city to tighten the rules on e-bikes by prohibiting their use by children under age 12.
On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved the e-bike ordinance, which will still need a final vote before it can go into effect. The proposal falls in line with a state pilot program that took effect this year and allows cities to impose age restrictions for e-bike users.
“I wouldn’t want to see a 9- or 10-year-old on these electric bikes,” Councilmember Laura Lothian said. “La Mesa’s traffic is out of control … No matter where you’re riding, it’s congested and people are going through stop signs. It’s really dangerous.”
If enacted, children under 12 would be prohibited from operating Class 1 and 2 e-bikes.
A Class 1 e-bike is defined as a bicycle equipped with a pedal-assist motor, while a Class 2 e-bike includes a throttle that allows the bicycle to be motorized without pedaling. Both can reach up to 20 mph.
For the first 60 days after the ordinance goes into effect, violators will be issued a warning. After that, violators will be issued a $25 fine that can be waived if an e-bike safety training course is completed within 120 days.
Officers will be permitted to impound the e-bikes of riders who violate the rules, including unlawfully operated Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach up to 28 mph. As state law currently stands, riders must be 16 years of age to operate a Class 3 e-bike.
Bikes will be released after 48 hours once fees are paid and a safety course is completed by the violator.
La Mesa is experiencing a growing number of e-bike related incidents, officials said. The city received 52 e-bike-related calls in 2025 and there have been six collisions involving e-bikes since 2023, according to a staff report.
This demonstrates a need to strengthen regulations “to reduce risks to both e-bike users and the broader community,” the report said.
La Mesa resident Joseph Cryer is a father of four who regularly rides e-bikes. The new regulations would go too far by limiting alternative transportation options, he said.
“It’s a more accessible form of mobility, we’re the jewel of the hills, it’s hard to pedal up some of these hills,” Cryer said. “I think we should reconsider and get to the root problem. Support zero emission, affordable mobility, support kids and families and let parents make their choice.”
The city plans to coordinate with local schools and businesses to increase education and public awareness surrounding e-bike safety, officials said. Staff will conduct public outreach before enforcement begins.
“We are doing this because there has been a request from the community and from parents to try and make things safer,” said Mayor Mark Arapostathis.
La Mesa will become the latest city to increase e-bike regulations, following Santee, Chula Vista, Coronado, Poway and San Marcos.
