Sonoma council introduces ordinance to align e-bike rules with state law

The Sonoma City Council on July 15 introduced an ordinance to amend municipal code chapter 10.74.011 so local regulations match California Vehicle Code definitions for electric bicycles. The council’s action, taken by roll call, was unanimous.

Police Chief (name not stated in the record) told the council the 2014 city ordinance set a 1,000-watt threshold that conflicts with the 2017 state statute, which defines class 1 and 2 e-bikes as 750 watts or less and regulates class 3 bikes differently. The chief urged removing a separate wattage reference to motorized scooters because state law does not set a scooter wattage limit but limits speed. “Class 1 and class 2 … are considered bicycles,” the chief said, explaining that aligning the municipal code removes confusion and avoids regulating conforming e-bikes as motor vehicles.

Council members asked about enforcement and outreach. The chief described recent education-first enforcement work by the community resource officer, noting most youth were riding class 1 or 2 bikes and that officers have been correcting unsafe conversions. Officers provided printed materials and offered CHP online certification guidance for youths as an alternative to immediate tickets. The council then made a motion to introduce the ordinance (chapter 10.74.011); the motion was seconded and carried on a unanimous roll call.

The council’s action was an introduction; a second reading and formal adoption will follow the usual ordinance process. The ordinance, if adopted, will only take effect per the city’s rules and any effective-date language in the final ordinance text.