Under Mayor Rebecca Jones, San Marcos Becomes First in Region to Ban E-Bikes for Under-12 Riders

Mayor Rebecca Jones speaking at her 2025 State of the City in San Marcos, CA. S Harris Communications

By Staff Writer | San Diego Monitor News

San Marcos, CA — The City of San Marcos has become the first municipality in North County to prohibit children under the age of 12 from operating electric bicycles on city streets, trails, and public spaces, a move local officials describe as a necessary step to address a growing public safety concern.

The new ordinance, adopted this month by the San Marcos City Council, follows a marked rise in e-bike-related collisions and injuries involving minors. City data indicates that in the past year alone, incidents involving e-bikes have outpaced those involving traditional bicycles by a wide margin. The measure, spearheaded by Mayor Rebecca Jones, builds upon the city’s broader Ride Right safety campaign—an initiative that combines enforcement, education, and community outreach. The campaign is being developed in collaboration with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, local schools, and parent groups.

Unlike some ordinances that rely primarily on citations, San Marcos officials say enforcement will begin with education and warnings. The goal, according to city staff, is to ensure families understand both the new rule and the reasons behind it.

Mayor Jones, who has served as mayor since 2018 and has long prioritized neighborhood safety and youth engagement, emphasized the city’s focus on collaboration rather than punishment. In a statement sent to San Diego Monitor News, Mayor Jones said: “Nothing matters more than keeping our kids safe. E-bikes can be a great way for them to get around, but we all have a role to play in making sure they ride safely. Through our ‘Ride Right’ campaign, the city is partnering with parents, schools, and law enforcement to teach kids the rules of the road and build good habits early. When we work together, we can help prevent accidents and keep our community’s young riders safe.”

Electric bicycles have become a defining feature of suburban mobility, particularly among middle- and high-school students across San Diego County. Advocates highlight their environmental and practical benefits, while safety experts caution that high-speed models can pose challenges for inexperienced riders. San Marcos’s ordinance was made possible under Assembly Bill 2234, a state measure signed earlier this year granting cities in San Diego County the authority to restrict e-bike use among younger riders. The local law limits riders under 12, regardless of supervision, from using e-bikes on public rights-of-way. Some residents have voiced concern that the law could restrict youth independence or disproportionately affect families who rely on e-bikes for short-distance travel. Others welcome the move, citing repeated close calls on local roads and near schools.

The San Marcos action is being watched closely by neighboring cities, several of which are weighing similar policies. Officials in Carlsbad and Encinitas have previously tightened local regulations, though neither has yet enacted an age-based ban. As a member of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board, Mayor Jones’s role may prove influential in shaping regional guidelines for micro mobility safety. Her approach, emphasizing community partnership, could serve as a model for how cities balance innovation with public safety.

The Ride Right campaign will expand through the coming months with student workshops, traffic-safety education, and public-awareness efforts. Enforcement will remain limited while the city focuses on outreach, officials said, but may evolve if compliance lags. While the ordinance marks a first in the region, city leaders stress that it is part of a broader conversation—one about how communities adapt to fast-changing transportation technologies without compromising safety.

For now, San Marcos stands at the forefront of that debate, charting a path that other cities may soon follow.