The Danville Town Council will hold a Study Session on E-Bikes:
🗓 Tuesday, July 8th, 8:30 a.m.
📍 Town Offices, 500 La Gonda Way

We urge you to attend and speak up (3-minute time limit per speaker). Please ask the Town Council to show leadership by adopting a proclamation that strongly discourages parents from allowing children under 16 to operate Class 2 throttle-assisted electric motorcycles (“e-motos”).

Your voice is critical. Bring friends, neighbors, and family members. Together, we can protect our kids.

If you cannot attend in person, please send your comments in writing before the meeting to the Danville City Clerk, Marie Sunseri:
📧 cityclerk@danville.ca.gov
📞 925-314-3401

Sample letter below. For more details and resources, visit Danville Safety Advocates: bikedanville.org.

Subject: Request for Action on Regulating Class 2 E-Bike Use by Children

Dear Mayor Renee Morgan, Vice Mayor Newell Arnerich, and Councilmembers Karen Stepper, Robert Storer, and Mark Belotz,

I am writing to urge the Danville Town Council to issue a proclamation, and ultimately take meaningful action, regarding the growing public safety concern posed by the use of throttle/pedal-assist-operated Class 2 e-bikes commonly known as electric motorcycles or “e-motos” by children under the age of 16.

Over the past few years, these high-powered vehicles marketed as “e-bikes” but often functioning as electric motorcycles have become increasingly popular among local youth. While these “e-bikes” can be a practical alternative to car trips and support more sustainable transportation, they also introduce serious safety risks when used by untrained or underage riders.

According to findings from the Marin County Grand Jury, children under 16 riding Class 2 throttle-operated e-bikes pose a risk not only to themselves but also to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers on our roads, sidewalks, and trails. Injury rates for e-bike riders in this age group are five times higher than any other age group.  These young riders frequently lack an understanding of traffic laws, and often engage in reckless behaviors at unsafe speeds. This is not a hypothetical threat. Local hospitals are regularly treating children for serious injuries—broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and more.

Brands such as Super73, Macfox, Ariel Rider, Ridstar, Lyric, Onyx, 101Bike, and P-51 are aggressively marketed to youth, but what many parents may not realize is that these bikes can be easily modified to exceed 20 mph, crossing the threshold from “bicycle” to illegal motor vehicle. In Danville, some of these modified “e-motos” have been clocked at speeds over 35 mph.

The urgency of this issue is evident in local social media. A quick search of posts on Nextdoor reveals that residents being injured frequently and most are not only aware of the problem but are calling for someone to take action. Marin County towns and schools have already adopted ordinances prohibiting children under 16 from operating Class 2 e-bikes. Danville should support, if not mirror, this effort.

I respectfully urge the Town Council to act now by issuing a Proclamation to:

Publicly discourage the purchase and use of throttle-operated Class 2 e-bikes (“e-motos”) by children under the age of sixteen.
Support state legislation that reflects the regulatory steps taken by responsible jurisdictions across California, including Marin County.
Don’t wait for a tragedy to address this issue. We can and should do more to ensure our roads and trails are safe for everyone while still promoting responsible e-bike use.

Sincerely,