With ordinances going into effect, there’s now a countywide resource for teens, parents, schools, and law enforcement.
Marin County, CA – In response to rising e-bike safety concerns for young riders, the County of Marin and the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) have launched a bold, countywide public education campaign — the E-Bikers Club — to promote safe riding habits and message Marin’s new e-bike safety laws coming this summer.
Assembly Bill 1778, authored by state Assemblymember Damon Connolly of San Rafael and signed by the governor in September 2024, allows Marin jurisdictions to adopt stronger Class 2 (throttle-assisted) e-bike safety regulations. On May 20, the Board of Supervisors approved the adoption of an ordinance prohibiting riders under 16 from riding Class 2 e-bikes and requiring helmets for Class 2 riders of all ages.
Tiburon, Belvedere, Mill Valley, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Fairfax and San Anselmo have all approved first readings of the same ordinance. Sausalito, Novato, San Rafael, and Ross all plan to adopt ordinances in the coming months, synchronizing the new rules across all 12 Marin municipalities. The ordinances will be in effect countywide before students head back to campuses for the new school year.
The E-Bikers Club campaign serves as the countywide public education effort to ensure residents — especially teens and parents — understand the new laws, and e-bike safety. Development of the campaign was a core focus of the Special Committee on Youth E-bike Safety.
From 2019 to 2022, Marin saw a 110% increase in 911 calls among school-age youth for all bicycle accidents. When first responders began tracking whether accidents involved an e-bike or conventional bicycle, Public Health officials saw an alarming trend that has continued: the e-bike accident rate for 10- to 15-year-olds is five times higher than for adults. For conventional bikes, the school-age youth accident rate is only one and a half times higher than for adults.
“Laws alone won’t change behavior, which is why we are leading with countywide education in a creative campaign that uses animation and social media,” said Board of Supervisors President Mary Sackett, who represents District 1. “Teen focus groups informed the campaign to create a style and tone that is appealing to young people.”
The E-Bikers Club campaign is designed to reach students before summer break and includes:
- A teen-friendly animated video explaining Marin’s e-bike rules and key safety tips
- Posters featuring vibrant art to clarify e-bike laws, safe riding tips, and the importance of helmet use.
- Stickers and hats to promote awareness and pride in being a safe e-bike rider.
- A dedicated website with up-to-date info on traffic laws, safety resources including a safety pledge, and an FAQ for parents and riders of all ages
Importantly, the countywide E-Bikers Club campaign also fulfills AB 1778’s legal requirement – for every jurisdiction – for a 30-day public information campaign before the new ordinance is enforceable.
The County is working with Safe Routes to Schools, the Office of Education, Marin’s cities and towns, and law enforcement partners to distribute campaign materials.
For more information about the new e-bike laws and the campaign, visit e-bikersclub.com or follow #EBikersClub on social media.