On the streets
E-Bike Smart Marin
At MCBC, we support the many benefits of e-bikes in our community while working to mitigate some of the growing pains through the E-Bike Smart Marin program.
As we all know, there has been a huge rise in e-bike usage in the last few years. In fact, from 2020 to 2021, e-bike sales nearly doubled, and the same level of increase is expected for 2022 (U.S. E-bike Sales Outpaced Electric Cars in 2021 – Bloomberg). This is revolutionizing the way people get around in our county. E-bikes provide alternative transportation to cars that expand riders’ mobility, emit no greenhouse gasses, and make riding the many hills of Marin accessible to a much wider range of people.
However, new vehicles on our roads and shared paths create new challenges. We have heard concerns from users of multi-use paths that some e-bike users are riding at unsafe speeds or not being respectful of others in those shared spaces.
Read the Joint Statement on E-bike Safety from California Bicycle Advocates here.
What We’re Doing
Teen Education Program
The teen education program was developed in partnership with our Safe Routes to Schools instructors to offer a class that focuses specifically on e-bike safety and education, including bike handling and emergency maneuvers, rules of the road, and hands-on skills practice. Classes are scheduled throughout the year. If you’re interested in a Teens E-Bike Class, please send us your information below and we will be in touch as they are scheduled.
Older Adults
E-bikes offer safe, reliable, and enjoyable transportation for those who may be looking for alternative ways to get around that aren’t too hard on the body. We are currently doing outreach with older adult groups to determine how we can best serve this community.
Buyer’s Guide
Thinking about an e-bike? Our Buyer’s Guide explains the three classes of e-bikes, key safety tips, and important features to consider. It will help you choose the right bike for commuting, recreation, or everyday riding.
Current Laws
UPDATE March 1, 2024: MCBC cannot accept any device with the capability of operating “out-of-class”. These devices are not considered an e-bike, and fall into the category of a motor vehicle. Any product that is capable of reaching speeds greater than 20 mph on motor assistance alone will not be accepted in class. The Super73s are incredibly common in Marin, and unfortunately, most of their models fall into the “out-of-class” category that we can no longer accept in our classes.
A bill pending in the California legislature would address “multiple mode” products, rather than leaving it up to consumers to interpret. Other bills are pending to address age limits. As with many emerging technologies, policies governing use often lag. We did not come to this decision lightly, and apologize for any inconvenience this causes.
Outreach
E-bikes should be accessible to commuters of all income levels. There are some exciting incentive programs coming up for those interested in purchasing an e-bike, particularly focused on people with lower incomes. Statewide, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is scheduled to roll out an e-bike incentives program on December 18, 2024. You can read more about the CARB program at CalBike.
Get Updates
Members make it happen!
Thank you for helping us create a Marin where everyone can bike safely every day, in every neighborhood. We’re fighting for a more bike-friendly future in Marin.
Are you with us?