What RidePermit is
A free digital e-bike permit for California families, earned through short safety training — with an optional physical decal. Free to families, free to school districts, education-first (no plates, no mandate).
How a family gets a permit
- Parent creates an account and verifies email.
- Parent adds a student and confirms e-bike eligibility.
- Student completes safety training and a 5-question quiz (must pass 4 of 5).
- Parent signs a penalty-of-perjury attestation.
- Family receives a free digital permit; optional physical decal available.
The model
- Digital permit: always free.
- Optional physical decal: $25 new / $15 renewal.
- Cost to school districts: free. No procurement contracts, no per-student fees.
- Built by RidePermit, Inc; founded by Anthony "Tony" Bright.
The problem it addresses
Youth e-bike injuries have surged. Children's Hospital of Orange County treated one e-bike trauma patient in 2021 and 201 in 2025.
A 2024 Orange County Grand Jury investigation found all 34 county cities operating under different, inconsistent e-bike rules.
Policy context
RidePermit is designed to align with the direction of Assembly Bill 1569 (Davies/Chen), which directs the California Department of Education and the California Highway Patrol to develop a standardized e-bike safety curriculum for students in grades 7–12 and encourages local agencies to adopt safety programs. AB 1569 passed the Assembly 77-0 and the Senate 39-0 and was ordered to engrossing and enrolling on August 11, 2026; it awaits action by the Governor. RidePermit offers a functioning reference implementation available now, rather than waiting for the statewide framework to take effect.
Origin
RidePermit was built independently by founder Anthony "Tony" Bright — a 30+ year technologist and lifelong cyclist — out of personal concern for student e-bike safety, before AB 1569 was on his radar. Genuine convergence, not a response to the bill.
Key facts at a glance
- Public launch: July 31, 2026
- Coverage: California (statewide-capable), initial focus Orange County
- Permit: free digital; optional decal $25 new / $15 renewal
- Training: short course + 5-question quiz, 4/5 to pass, signed attestation
- Cost to districts: free
Media contact
Tony Bright, Founder, RidePermit, Inc
949-670-3802 · abright@ridepermit.com · ridepermit.com
Available on request: founder interview, live demo, logo/screenshots, detailed injury-trend data.