WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – If you are taking your e-bike onto local trails, police want you to double-check that your ride is actually legal. In a recent joint safety operation with East Bay Regional Park District Police, Walnut Creek officers made 16 stops on local trails and impounded two electric motorcycles that are not allowed there.
Joint Operation Targets Illegal E-Bikes
Earlier this month, Walnut Creek Police Department coordinated with East Bay Regional Park District Police to focus on trail safety within and around the city.
According to a social media update from both the city and police department, officers set up along popular trail segments, stopping riders to check bike types, speed, and basic safety rules. The emphasis was on education, but when officers encountered higher-powered electric motorcycles on park trails — which are prohibited — they had those bikes towed from the scene.
Police framed the effort as part of a broader push to keep trails “safe and enjoyable for everyone,” especially as more teens and adults turn to e-bikes for transportation and fun.
What Happened On The Trails
During the operation:
- Officers conducted 16 stops on riders using e-bikes and other electric devices on local trails.
- Most riders received warnings and information about trail rules instead of tickets.
- Two E-bikes classified as Electric Motorcycles were impounded because they are not permitted on park trails at all.
Police also reminded riders to keep speeds to 15 mph or less, slow down when passing others, and share the space with walkers, runners, and traditional cyclists.
Want more hyper-local updates on policing, trails, and safety in Walnut Creek and the rest of the 925? Join our free 925 News email newsletter for daily openings, closures, and crime alerts: https://bay-area-telegraph.ck.page/317a2ba0d5
Legal vs Illegal: What Types Of E-Bikes Are Allowed?
The tricky part for many families is that not every “e-bike” is treated the same under local rules. Both Walnut Creek and East Bay Regional Park District follow a three-class system used across California:
- Class 1 — Pedal-assist only, up to 20 mph.
- Class 2 — Throttle or pedal-assist, up to 20 mph.
- Class 3 — Pedal-assist only, up to 28 mph, with a speedometer and extra helmet/age rules.
Here is how that plays out on our local trails:
- In East Bay Regional Parks, Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on all trails where regular bikes can go, paved and unpaved. Class 2 e-bikes are limited to paved regional trails only. Info here: East Bay Parks
- In Walnut Creek open space and on city-maintained trails, city guidance generally allows Class 1 and 2 e-bikes anywhere conventional bikes are permitted, as long as riders obey the 15 mph speed limit and other rules.
What is not allowed on park trails:
- Class 3 e-bikes
- Electric motorcycles and dirt bikes
- Electric mopeds and scooters
- E-skateboards
Those higher-powered machines were the focus of the recent enforcement action and are the ones most likely to be towed.
