Folsom, Calif., Council Approves E-Bike Rules With a 15 mph Bike-Path Limit and Fines Up to $500

The Folsom, Calif., City Council has approved new e-bike regulations, including fines of up to $500 and a 15 mph speed limit on bike paths, after a long discussion on Tuesday, October 27, ABC10 reported. The ordinance still needs a second reading at another council meeting before it is finalized and put in place; the council's next meeting is scheduled for November 10, according to the station.

What the ordinance includes

Higher fines. $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second and $500 for any further violations, ABC10 reported.

Parents pay for minors. Parents would be responsible for citations issued to minors.

Speed limits. 15 mph on bike paths and 10 mph on paths in certain parks.

Possible park bans. The ordinance gives city officials the choice to ban e-bikes outright in certain parks.

Why Folsom acted

The rules follow two months of public meetings and discussion, according to ABC10. Folsom Police Department representatives said they have seen a significant increase in calls related to e-bikes on roads, in parking lots and in city parks, and council and community members mentioned sports fields being ridden on and damaged, the station reported.

"Some citizens want the e-bikes outright banned in parks. Some of them just want the problematic behavior addressed," said Commander Andrew Bates of the Folsom Police Department. "And so in order to do that, we've written an ordinance that offers that flexibility."

What happens next

The council said it could make further changes to the ordinance, and the meeting became heated at times as members debated exactly which rules to adopt, ABC10 reported. "We don't necessarily need to get this right, perfectly on the first go around," Mayor Justin Raithel said. "But I think there are many calls for moving this forward."

What riders should do now

Slow down on shared paths. Plan for 15 mph on Folsom bike paths and 10 mph on paths in certain parks once the rules take effect.

Stay off fields and turf. Damage to sports fields was one of the complaints that drove the ordinance.

Wear a helmet. We recommend one for every rider. Shop our helmet picks.

Talk to young riders. With parents responsible for minors' tickets, go over speed, passing and park rules with teens before they ride.

This is a summary of news reporting, not legal advice. Check posted rules and the City of Folsom for the final ordinance and its effective date.

More from ElectricBikes.com News: Citrus County deputies can ticket e-bike riders on the Withlacoochee State Trail · North Ridgeville, Ohio, e-bike rules take effect Nov. 4 · More e-bike news

Sources

Robbie Reynold, "Folsom City Council approves new regulations on E-bikes, leaves the door open to further changes," ABC10, October 27, 2026: abc10.com

Photo: Johnny Cash Trail bridge in Folsom, Calif., by UncleVinny via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0); cropped, headline added in the featured image.

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