Beverly Hills students riding e-bikes or e-scooters to school now need a signed permit from the district, and police are warning parents that some popular "e-bikes" are actually illegal electric motorcycles that can be impounded on the spot.
The Beverly Hills Police Department and Beverly Hills Unified School District published a joint E-Vehicle Safety guide on Wednesday, Aug. 19, timed to the start of the 2026-27 school year. The guide spells out which vehicles are legal, what riders must do to stay compliant, and what happens when they don't.
The most practical takeaway for families: BHUSD now requires parents and students to sign an e-vehicle permit agreement before a student can ride any e-bike, e-scooter or electric motorcycle to campus. The permit is separate from the manufacturer's class sticker required on every e-bike under state law.
Sidewalk ban and helmet rules
Beverly Hills enforces a blanket sidewalk ban on all vehicles, including e-bikes, under Municipal Code 7-2-308. That's stricter than California's default, which leaves sidewalk riding to local discretion.
Other key rules:
- Riders under 18 must wear a helmet on any e-bike.
- Class 3 e-bikes (pedal-assist up to 28 mph) require helmets for all riders and a minimum age of 16.
- E-scooter riders need a valid driver's license or instruction permit and a helmet.
- No passengers on e-bikes or e-scooters.
Electric motorcycles can be seized
The guide warns that many electric motorcycles are marketed as e-bikes but don't qualify. No pedals? It's not an e-bike. A vehicle without operable pedals, or one that exceeds 28 mph or 750 watts, is legally a motorcycle requiring DMV registration, a motorcycle-endorsed license and insurance.
BHPD, under Chief Mark G. Stainbrook, has enforced those distinctions aggressively. In a November 2024 Instagram post, the department announced it had impounded three electric motorcycles that week for exceeding speed and wattage limits, urging parents: "Before you buy, double-check the laws."
Enforcement has continued. On April 16, BHPD arrested two juveniles at Culver City High School, with assistance from Culver City police, for recklessly riding electric motorcycles and performing stunts in Beverly Hills on Dec. 10, 2025. The riders had initially fled officers, according to a department media release. BHPD said it would not tolerate reckless vehicle operation and that enforcement efforts would continue.
What parents should check before buying
The guide advises parents to verify motor wattage and top speed before purchasing any device marketed as an e-bike. Non-compliant vehicles can be impounded under California Vehicle Code 14602.6 for operating without a license, or cited for traffic hazards.
Residents with questions about e-vehicle compliance or impounds can contact the BHPD Traffic Bureau at 310-285-2196.
