SACRAMENTO (BRAIN) — A California bill that became law Wednesday will clearly define e-motos and make it illegal to market them as e-bikes. The legislation — SB 1167 — was signed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
E-motos will be regulated according to speed, power, and intended use, while reaffirming e-bikes are limited in power to 750 watts. According to PeopleForBikes, the law will lead to effective enforcement by requiring labeling requirements for e-bikes and other electric mobility devices, improving crash and incident data collection, and requiring consumer disclosers for some higher-powered electric vehicles.
"By focusing on solutions to the increasing safety concerns associated with these products, SB 1167 will protect consumers, help preserve access to legitimate low-speed electric. bicycles, and promote their adoption and use," said Matt Moore, PeopleForBikes policy counsel.
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.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, and in addition to PeopleForBikes, it was endorsed by CalBike, Streets for All, and Streets are For Everyone.
