DANVILLE, CALIFORNIA – New signs are appearing at Danville park entrances, and they carry a simple message for anyone arriving on an e-bike: Get off and walk.
Under a new town ordinance that took effect Aug. 6, e-bikes, electric motorcycles and motorized scooters may no longer be ridden anywhere inside a Town of Danville park. Riders may still bring the devices into parks, but they must dismount at the park boundary and walk until they leave.
The restriction applies even when someone is riding slowly or simply using a park path as a shortcut. It also applies across e-bike classifications, avoiding the need for police officers to determine whether a particular device is a Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike before enforcing the park rule.
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The signs are being installed at entrances throughout Danville’s park system, including popular destinations such as Osage Station Park, Sycamore Valley Park, Hap Magee Ranch Park and Oak Hill Park.
Danville operates more than 167 acres of parkland, much of it devoted to active recreation. Its parks include playgrounds, sports fields, dog areas and walking paths where fast, relatively quiet electric devices can come into close contact with children, seniors, runners and people walking dogs.
The Town Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2026-02 on July 7 after nearly two years of debate over e-bike and electric motorcycle safety.
The final law is notably stricter than the regulations initially considered by town staff and the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission. An earlier proposal would have allowed e-bikes and scooters on paved park trails while imposing a 15 mph limit. Council members ultimately chose a clearer rule: powered devices must be walked anywhere inside a park.
The ordinance also establishes a 15 mph speed limit for conventional bicycles, e-bikes, electric motorcycles and motorized scooters on town-owned trails located outside parks. It expands the town’s existing prohibition on negligent, unsafe or reckless operation to cover all wheeled vehicles in town parks and trails.
Town officials have said the restrictions respond to complaints about speeding, close calls and reckless riding, with Osage Station Park emerging as a particular concern because of its paths and proximity to local schools.
The town initially emphasized education, working with residents, schools and the San Ramon Valley Unified School District to explain the rules. But the ordinance is enforceable. Danville says violations of local or state riding laws can result in citations and fines, while illegal vehicles or more serious conduct can sometimes lead to impoundment.
The park restriction does not amount to a townwide e-bike ban.
E-bikes may still be ridden on Danville streets and in bike lanes where permitted. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are also allowed on the Iron Horse Trail, while Class 3 e-bikes and motorized scooters are generally prohibited on most multi-use trails. Riders should check posted signs because trail ownership and restrictions can vary.
Separate sidewalk rules also remain in place. Danville prohibits e-bikes and other motorized devices on sidewalks in downtown and designated commercial areas. California law prohibits motorized scooters on sidewalks throughout the state.
State age and helmet requirements have not changed. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can provide assistance up to 20 mph and do not have a statutory minimum rider age. Class 3 e-bikes can assist riders up to 28 mph, but riders must be at least 16 and wear a helmet. Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet while riding any class of e-bike.
For families whose children use e-bikes to reach school, sports practices or friends’ homes, there’s now a crucial new rule to follow if you want to avoid fines or possibly losing your bike: reaching a Danville park does not mean the device has to stay outside, but the rider must walk it from one park boundary to the other.
With the new signs in place, riders can no longer claim the rule was hard to spot.
