In San Francisco you can ride an electric scooter on the street if you hold a driver's license or instruction permit, keep to 15 mph, stay off the sidewalk and, if you're under 18, wear a helmet. The city asks two things of an electric scooter: climbing power for the hills and a fold you can carry. Our pick for most riders is the Segway F3; for steep routes, the Segway Max G3. You can see them at our SoMa shop at 360 11th St, where our technicians also service any brand you already own.
- License or instruction permit required; 15 mph maximum on every road and bike lane
- No sidewalks, no passengers; helmet if you're under 18
- For SF hills, look at the maker's climbing figure, not just top speed
- Our SoMa shop: 360 11th St, Monday to Saturday
California's rules for electric scooters
California's Vehicle Code covers stand-up and seated electric scooters in §407.5. The main rules (§21235 and §22411):
- You need a valid driver's license or instruction permit.
- 15 mph is the maximum on every road and bikeway, whatever the posted limit.
- You can ride on streets with a speed limit of 25 mph or less; on faster streets only inside a Class II or Class IV bike lane, unless the city allows up to 35 mph.
- Riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
- No riding on the sidewalk (except to get into or out of a property), no passengers, and at least one hand on the handlebars.
California limits how fast you ride, not how fast the electric scooter can go, so in the city you're buying range, climbing, brakes and comfort rather than top speed.
Full rules, including what changes in 2027: California electric scooter and e-bike laws.
What San Francisco asks of an electric scooter
- Hills. Climbing takes power, and a heavier rider slows any electric scooter on a grade. Check the maker's climbing figure; dual-motor models hold speed better on climbs.
- Fog and wet streets. Look for a water rating (IPX5 or IPX6) and tubeless or wide air-filled tires for grip. Our guide to riding in the rain explains the ratings.
- Brakes. Long downhills are hard on brakes; front and rear brakes, ideally with a disc, matter more here than almost anywhere.
- Carrying it. Weight and the fold matter if you carry it up stairs or onto a train. BART and Muni set their own rules for folding electric scooters and e-bikes, so check their current rules before you travel.
Our picks for San Francisco
| Electric scooter | Designed top speed | Rated range | Best for | Price band* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segway F3 | 20 mph | 44 miles | most riders | $500–$1,000 |
| Segway Max G3 | 28 mph | 50 miles | steep routes | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Hiboy S2 Max | 19 mph | 40 miles | range on a budget | Under $500 |
| E-TWOW Booster ES | 19 mph | 19 miles | carrying it on BART | $500–$1,000 |
*Price band from our current price; the product page shows today's price. Speeds and ranges are the makers' figures from our product pages. In California you ride at 15 mph or less on public roads, whatever the design speed.
Best overall: Segway F3
Rated for 44 miles, with suspension for rough streets, an IPX6 water rating and 10-inch tubeless tires, at 42 lb. A good all-rounder for SoMa, the Mission and the flatter neighborhoods.
For the steepest routes: Segway Max G3
Segway rates the Max G3 to climb a 30% grade, the strongest climbing figure in this group, with 50 miles of rated range on 11-inch tires. It's built for 28 mph, so in San Francisco you keep it to 15 mph on the street; the extra power goes into the hills.
Most range for the money: Hiboy S2 Max
Rated for 40 miles from a 48V battery, with 10-inch self-healing tires and a 220 lb rider rating.
Lightest: E-TWOW Booster ES
At 25.6 lb with airless tires that can't go flat, it's the one to carry onto a train or up a walk-up.
Browse all commuter electric scooters and foldable electric scooters.
E-bikes in San Francisco: know the class
California sorts e-bikes into three classes (Vehicle Code §312.5). All have working pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less. Class 1 is pedal assist to 20 mph, Class 2 adds a throttle that stops helping at 20 mph, and Class 3 is pedal assist to 28 mph with a speedometer; Class 3 riders must be 16 or older and wear a helmet (§21213). Every rider under 18 needs a helmet on any bicycle, e-bikes included (§21212). Every e-bike sold in California carries a label with its class, top assisted speed and wattage, so check it before you buy. See our commuter e-bikes and ask in the shop for the class label of the one you like. Electric dirt bikes such as the Surron and Talaria are off-highway motorcycles in California, not e-bikes.
See them and get them serviced in SoMa
Wilson's San Francisco shop is at 360 11th St in SoMa. It's open Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM from March to November and 9 AM to 6 PM from December to February, and closed on Sundays. Walk in or call (858) 666-1551.
- Any brand, any issue, wherever you bought it. A simple inspection is always free; a full diagnosis with test equipment is $30, and it comes off the bill if you go ahead with a repair over $100.
- Prices start from: flat tire repair $40, brake repair $25, hydraulic brake bleed $15, error code fix $35, tune-up and safety check $50, parts and labor included. See electric scooter and e-bike repair in San Francisco.
- In Southern California? Our Los Angeles-area shop is in Corona; see our Los Angeles buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to ride an electric scooter in San Francisco?
Yes. California requires a valid driver's license or instruction permit to ride an electric scooter on public roads (Vehicle Code §21235).
How fast can I ride an electric scooter in San Francisco?
15 mph, on any road or bike lane, whatever the posted speed limit (§22411).
Can I take my electric scooter on BART or Muni?
Folding models are the ones to look at, but BART and Muni set their own rules for electric scooters and e-bikes and can change them, so check their current rules before you travel.
Which electric scooter is best for San Francisco's hills?
One with a strong climbing figure from its maker. Of our picks, the Segway Max G3 is rated for a 30% grade. Keep it to 15 mph on public roads.
Do you repair electric scooters and e-bikes you didn't sell?
Yes. Our technicians service every brand at all six shops, and a simple inspection is always free.
Sources: California Vehicle Code §§407.5, 21212, 21213, 21235, 22411 and 312.5 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, checked October 2026); Speeds, ranges and climbing figures are the makers' own, from our product pages. General information, not legal advice.
