A recent statewide transportation report has put a spotlight on a growing concern across Marin County: the widespread use of high-powered electric motorized bikes, or “e-motos,” by students.
The study draws heavily on data collected at Marin schools. It highlights confusion, safety risks, and legal gray areas surrounding these fast, throttle-driven vehicles. Local leaders and advocates now want tighter rules and better enforcement.
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Marin Schools Reveal the Scope of the Problem
For parents in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, and Corte Madera, what students are riding to school has become as important as how they get there.
A joint survey by E-Bike Access and Safe Routes to Schools checked bike parking lots at 12 Marin County campuses. They looked at middle schools in Fairfax and Larkspur, and high schools in Tiburon and Sausalito.
Most Student E-Motos Break State Law
The findings? Pretty striking, honestly. Out of 277 electric two-wheelers spotted on campus, 80% at middle schools and 90% at high schools exceeded California’s legal limits for e-bikes.
State law says e-bikes can’t go above 750 watts or certain speeds, but plenty of student bikes blew past those limits. Only 37 bikes on campus actually fit the legal definition of an e-bike.
Surveyors also counted 713 regular bicycles. E-motos have quietly reshaped school commuting in places like Greenbrae and Kentfield.
A State Report With Marin at Its Core
These local findings show up in a 210-page report by the Mineta Transportation Institute, prepared for the California Legislature.
Researchers Asha Weinstein Agrawal and Kevin Fang point to Marin County as an early warning system for what’s happening across the state.
Confusion, Modifications, and Misleading Marketing
The report says many riders — and parents — honestly don’t know if a bike is legal or not. Some owners modify motors or software to make their bikes faster and more powerful.
Others get tricked by manufacturers and retailers selling e-motos as “street legal.”
This confusion chips away at the responsible biking culture in places like Ross and Belvedere. Pedal-assist e-bikes were once seen as a clean, low-emission way to get around.
Safety Concerns Backed by Local Data
The report draws a line between lower-powered, pedal-assist e-bikes and throttle-driven e-motos. The latter are showing up more and more in risky situations and youth injuries.
Injury Trends in Marin County
Between October 1, 2023, and October 6, 2025, Marin recorded:
For families in San Anselmo and Strawberry, this next bit is tough to read. 31% of those injured on e-bikes were between the ages of 10 and 15, compared to just 10% for conventional bike accidents.
Marin’s Legislative Response and What Comes Next
Marin hasn’t just watched from the sidelines. The county helped launch AB 1778, a state law that started a local pilot program to curb unsafe riding.
Key Elements of AB 1778
The law:
Violators, especially in school zones throughout Novato and San Rafael, now face penalties and have to take safety courses.
Recommendations for Stronger Enforcement
The Mineta report urges lawmakers to go even further. They want the California Vehicle Code updated so e-motos get treated more like mopeds, possibly requiring licenses, registration, and plates.
Retailer Accountability and Infrastructure Improvements
Other recommendations include:
Local cycling advocates in Mill Valley and Fairfax say clearer rules could help restore trust in biking as a safe, sustainable way for Marin residents to get around. They seem hopeful about the changes, especially for families and younger riders.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin motorized bike data cited in push for state reforms
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