Sonoma police chief outlines e-bike classes, urges education-first enforcement

Police Chief Brandon Cutting told the Parks and Recreation Commission that California law treats most electric bicycles as bicycles and that the city’s response should focus on education rather than punitive enforcement. Cutting explained the state classifications and how Sonoma’s municipal code applies to bike lanes, sidewalks and the plaza.

Cutting laid out the three class categories used in state vehicle code: class 1 and class 2 e-bikes are pedal-assisted (under 750 watts and limited to 20 mph), while class 3 bikes also assist pedaling but may travel up to 28 mph and require riders to be at least 16 and to wear helmets. "They are not ignored in the vehicle code," Cutting said, adding that e-bikes must follow the same rights-of-way, stop-sign and signaling rules as other bicycles and vehicles.

The chief reviewed Sonoma Municipal Code 10.74 and related park code provisions that restrict riding in the plaza and specific trails. He said class 1 and 2 bikes are exempted from some motor-driven prohibitions on city bike paths, but class 3 bikes and higher-powered devices are barred by sign and code. Cutting also warned that devices with more than 750 watts or that have pedals removed can be reclassified as motorized bicycles or electric motorcycles, which require registration, insurance and a driver's license.

Commissioners asked about enforcement records and injuries; Cutting recounted a November incident in which a standing electric scooter traveling about 28 mph struck a car and the rider — a minor — suffered a head wound requiring stitches and was released from the hospital. He said most department contacts have been educational: "When we contact students or youth who are riding these bikes that are... not legal, we're contacting parents, and we're having them come down," Cutting said.

Cutting described a practical enforcement approach: take photos, identify juveniles through school resource officers and focus on parent engagement instead of creating barriers to a young person's future driving privileges. He also pointed commissioners to a California Highway Patrol certification video created under a 2023 assembly bill that includes a test students can complete to avoid certain citation consequences. "There is a video that kids can watch... Parents can watch it too," he said.

On signage, Cutting cautioned against too many signs ("sign pollution") but said tasteful educational signage and ground markings could help. Commissioners emphasized pedestrian safety and liability concerns for city paths; one noted cases elsewhere where pedestrians were injured. Cutting said the city could change its signage or code if the commission recommended it, but that vehicle code allowances and municipal code text create the legal baseline.

Cutting closed by urging an education-forward approach: "The laws aren't there to prosecute or to punish these kids. They're there to keep them safe," he said. The commission thanked Cutting and signaled further discussion about signage, monitoring and community outreach.