E-bikes have changed the school commute in San Marcos.

They’re fast, convenient and increasingly popular with students — which is exactly why the City of San Marcos, San Marcos Unified School District and San Diego County Sheriff’s Office are putting safety lessons right where many young riders need them: at local schools.

The Ride Right effort is back this fall with seven e-bike and bicycle safety workshops running from August 25 through October 6.

And for some students, attending isn’t just a good idea. It’s part of getting permission to park their bike at school.

The Permit Comes With a Safety Lesson

SMUSD requires students who ride bikes or e-bikes to Double Peak School, San Elijo Middle School, San Marcos Middle School, Woodland Park Middle School, Mission Hills High School or San Marcos High School to obtain a permit.

To receive one, students attend an in-person safety workshop led by the Sheriff’s Office with at least one parent or guardian. Riders need to bring their bicycle or e-bike and helmet.

After completing the course, students receive permit stickers for both the bike and helmet.

Students can attend any workshop on the schedule regardless of which SMUSD school they attend.

Seven Chances to Ride Right

The upcoming workshops are:

- Aug. 25: San Elijo Middle School, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

- Sept. 1: San Marcos High School, 5–6 p.m.

- Sept. 8: Mission Hills High School, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

- Sept. 15: La Mirada Academy, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

- Sept. 22: Double Peak School, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

- Sept. 29: San Marcos Middle School, 5–6 p.m.

- Oct. 6: Woodland Park Middle School, 5–6 p.m.

Students who completed a safety course last year and obtained a permit are exempt from repeating the process; SMUSD says those students receive a new permit sticker at the beginning of the school year.

San Marcos Has Put Some Teeth Behind the Safety Push

There’s another reason families should know the rules.

San Marcos now prohibits children under 12 from operating Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. The City Council approved the restriction in October 2025, and following an education-first period, enforcement — including the possibility of fines — began February 1, 2026.

Class 3 e-bikes, capable of assisted speeds up to 28 mph, already carry a minimum rider age of 16.

City officials have said education remains the priority, but the rules of the road still apply. E-bike riders must obey traffic lights and stop signs, ride with traffic and follow applicable bike-lane requirements. Riders under 18 must wear helmets.

Why San Marcos Is Paying Attention

This isn’t a solution in search of a problem.

When San Marcos considered its under-12 restriction, city officials reported that since January 2024, e-bikes had been involved in nearly four times as many injury collisions locally as traditional pedal bikes. Two-thirds of San Marcos e-bike collisions involved riders under 18.

That helps explain why the city’s approach combines education, school involvement and enforcement rather than relying on any one of them.

The message behind Ride Right is pretty simple: e-bikes may make getting around easier, but they don’t make the rules of the road disappear.

For San Marcos families with a young rider in the garage, an hour spent learning those rules might be one of the better investments they make this school year.

Questions You May Have About San Marcos E-Bike Safety

Does my student have to attend the workshop at their own school?

No. SMUSD says students may attend any of the scheduled workshops regardless of which school they attend.

What should students bring?

Their bicycle or e-bike and helmet, along with at least one parent or guardian.

How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in San Marcos?

San Marcos prohibits riders under 12 from operating Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. Class 3 riders must be at least 16.

Do students who completed the program last year need to take it again?

No. SMUSD says students who previously completed the safety course and received a permit are exempt and will receive a new permit sticker.