Flyer courtesy of Citrus Heights Police Department

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Advance registration for the first of two e-bike safety courses for youth ages 10 to 18 being offered by the Citrus Heights Police Department on Saturday, July 25 at Mesa Verde High School filled up within a week of their announcement on social media, but space in a second session which will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. remains available at press time, according to the department.

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, have rapidly gained popularity with adults and kids alike because of their convenience, efficiency and speed.

CHPD reminds riders the same rules of the road apply to both electric bicycles and human powered bicycles.

“We are seeing an increase in the use of e-bikes by young riders in the city of Citrus Heights,” said Citrus Heights Police Lt. William E. Dunning, who oversees special operations.

“With that increase in use, we’re working pro-actively with the community to increase awareness of e-bike safety for riders of all ages and help reduce the potential for serious injury from their use.”

In the July safety course held at Mesa Verde, e-bike riders will receive practical instruction on e-bike operation, traffic laws, safety equipment and defensive riding techniques.

“We want e-bike riders to know the rules of the road and where they can and cannot safely ride,” he said.

There have been instances where some e-bike riders have used the public Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail inappropriately and are reminded by patrolling CHPD officers to discontinue that practice or face a future citation.

“We’re also working closely with individual schools in the San Juan Unified School District to remind their students who use e-bikes to practice driver safety at all times and to always wear their helmets,” he said.

“We want them to stay safe and to make smart choices.”

The upcoming July hands-on e-bike safety course at Mesa Verde High School includes one hour of classroom instruction. Individual parent or guardian attendance is required, and parents must remain present throughout the course session.

Each young participant must bring their own helmet and e-bike.

CHPD officers recently traveled to Huntington Beach to observe and learn more about an e-bike safety course which was being offered there for young riders there and soon decided to offer a similar course in the city of Citrus Heights.

“We felt this safety course could be especially beneficial to young e-bike riders in our city and with our community partners have made it available this summer,” Dunning said.

The community event is presented in partnership with the Citrus Heights Police Department, the San Juan Unified School District, VoltVerified, California eBikes, SUPER73 and the Citrus Heights Police Bike Unit.

Generally, e-bike riders must abide by all the same road laws as motorists and other bicyclists, including following all traffic lights, signs, right of way laws and signals; stopping at crosswalks for pedestrians; going with the flow of traffic; riding as close to the right edge of the road as possible and not blocking traffic on bike trails, paths and lanes.

“In general, we know that sales of e-bikes in the city will continue to grow, especially in the upcoming winter holiday buying season,” he said.

A new retail e-bike dealership is scheduled to open in the Citrus Grove Shopping Center at 8501 Auburn Blvd. in the beginning of 2027.

The popularity of electric bicycles (e-bikes) has surged as they have become lighter and more powerful, allowing riders to travel faster and cover longer distances. Safety education and training are increasingly crucial as more people embrace e-bikes. 

AAA has also developed an e-bike course with teen safety in mind. Its on-demand course is $20 for members and $30 for non-members.

According to a 2024 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, U.S. researchers reported a 30-fold increase in e-bike injuries from 2017 to 2022.

CHPD has reported four traffic collisions involving e-bikes this year, according to Dunning.

“We want to help young riders build their confidence, improve their riding skills and learn how to safely share the road with others,” he said.

“Whether you’re new to riding or looking to sharpen your skills, this safety course is a great opportunity to learn directly from public safety professionals.”

The e-bike industry and over half of U.S. states have adopted a common classification system: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3.

E-bikes are convenient but can be dangerous; following proper safety practices, understanding classifications and adhering to local laws is essential for riders and pedestrians alike.

The motor on Class 1 e-bikes only works when the rider is pedaling and has a maximum speed of 20 mph. Generally, you are allowed to ride Class 1 e-bikes on bike paths, multi-use trails and lanes that are shared with “traditional” bikes.

Class 2 e-bikes also have a top speed of 20 mph but have throttles that work without pedaling. 

Most states allow Class 3 e-bikes on road lanes or bike-only lanes on the shoulder of the road, but not on bike paths or multi-use trails shared with pedestrians.

Enrollment in the afternoon session of an e-bike safety course for youth ages 10 to 18 taking place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 at Mesa Verde High School remains available at press time, according to the department. For updated enrollment information, or on future courses offered, email CHPD Officer Joseph Davis at [email protected].