San Mateo deputy urges San Carlos e‑bike riders to follow rules and wear helmets

Deputy Larson of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office's San Carlos traffic unit urged local e-bike riders to know and follow the rules, saying, "E bikes are everywhere these days." He outlined basic equipment and behavior protections riders should use to avoid crashes and traffic reports.

Larson, who identified himself at the start of the message, said there are three classes of e-bikes. "A class 1 e bike has an electric motor and is pedal operated," he said, adding that class 1 and class 2 models reach a maximum of 20 miles per hour. He described class 3 bikes as providing assistance only when the rider is pedaling and said they reach 28 miles per hour; he added that 28 mph is the maximum speed a legal e-bike can go, as stated in his remarks.

The deputy listed several safety rules he said riders should follow. "Always wear a helmet," he said. He also advised riders to stay out of sidewalks and to use bike lanes or ride as far to the right as possible, to carry no passengers, to use hand signals when turning or stopping, and to obey stop signs, traffic signals and pedestrian right-of-way. "It keeps everyone around you safe," he said.

Larson framed the guidance as intended to help residents—especially young people—enjoy the benefits of e-bikes while reducing traffic conflicts. The message was delivered as a traffic-safety announcement by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office traffic unit; no enforcement action or change in law was announced in the remarks.

The Sheriff's Office provided the guidance as an informational safety outreach for San Carlos riders.