SACRAMENTO (BRAIN) — A bill introduced last week in California would better differentiate e-bikes from high-powered e-motos and mopeds in response to safety concerns in the state. Introduced by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, SB 1167 aims to regulate higher-powered devices according to speed, power, and intended use. The bill separates e-bikes, which are regulated as bicycles, from the faster and more powerful e-motos that are motor vehicles.
Vehicle code changes include:
- Requiring sellers of electric mopeds and electric motor-driven cycles to provide a standard disclosure to consumers in all advertising, including online advertising, that these devices are motor vehicles and subject to applicable laws requiring registration, operator licensing and insurance if used on public roads.
- Revising the definition of "electric bicycle" to exclude devices that are faster or more powerful, as well as any device that falls within any defined motor vehicle type.
- Revising the definition of "moped" to include any two or three-wheeled vehicle powered by an electric motor of less than 4 horsepower (3,000 watts) that can travel up to 30 mph, whether equipped with pedals or not
- Revising the definition of "motor-driven cycle" to include cycles with electric motors up to 3,750 watts.
- Regulating electric mopeds and motor-driven cycles as motor vehicles requiring compliance with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
- Requiring registration, a license plate, and either an M1 or M2 drivers license to operate an electric moped or motor-driven cycle on public roads.
- Making manufacturers and sellers of these devices and off-road electric motorcycles subject to motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer laws.
"By creating a much needed and robust regulatory structure for electric mopeds and other electrically-powered vehicles, this legislation will close important gaps in California law that have allowed these fast, motorized products to proliferate and be used by underaged and unlicensed operators," said PeopleForBikes, which collaborated with Blakespear and her staff to help craft the legislation. "The bill will also apply traditional requirements for registration and license plates to these devices to enable law enforcement efforts to promote public safety.
"Importantly, the bill also protects the integrity of e-bikes. By clearly separating e-motos from low-speed e-bikes, SB 1167 preserves access to affordable, safe electric bicycles as a transportation and recreation option for Californians across the state."
New Jersey passed a controversial electric bike bill into law last month, requiring license, registration, and insurance for all low- and high-speed riders. State lawmakers say it addresses a rising number of crashes, including two killed in separate incidents.
The legislation extends the classification of motorized bicycles to include pedal bicycles with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that can provide assistance when pedaling or exclusively propelling the bike.
Blakespear will join industry leaders, policymakers, and safety advocates next month at the Bicycle Leadership Conference in Dana Point, California, for a session on how mislabeling and regulatory gaps are impacting public trust, local policy decisions, and the future of the e-bike market.
