Governor Signs Legislation to Improve E-Bike Consumer Protections
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed legislation by Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to strengthen consumer protections around how electric bicycles are marketed and sold. The legislation prevents manufacturers and sellers from labeling an electric motor vehicle as an e-bike if it doesn’t meet the requirements of an e-bike. California law defines an e-bike as having no more than 750 watts of power and going no faster than 20 mph on a throttle or 28 mph when pedal assisted.
“I thank the Governor for signing SB 1167, which ensures that consumers know if they are buying an e-bike or something else that goes much faster and carries greater risk. Bicycle safety starts with knowing what your bike can do and following the safety requirements that come with it.”
- Senator Catherine S. Blakespear
WHY IT MATTERS
The popularity of e-bikes has raised safety concerns across California as they have flooded city streets. Faster two-wheeled vehicles, such as mopeds or motorcycles, require licenses and specific safety gear, while e-bikes are regulated essentially the same as bicycles. But sellers often loosely describe all two-wheeled electric vehicles, even those that exceed the speeds allowed for e-bikes by definition, as “e-bikes,” which can confuse buyers and make them unprepared for the higher speeds of some vehicles and the greater dangers involved.
BACKROUND
The fastest e-bikes‚ defined as Class 3‚ cannot legally be ridden by anyone under the age of 16. However‚ many people don’t know what class of e-bike they are buying‚ what its top speed is or whether it is even an e-bike.
Under SB 1167, sellers of faster and/or more powerful vehicles are required to inform consumers that they don’t meet the definition of an e-bike and therefore require vehicle registrations and licenses to operate.
Every e-bike sold in the state will be required to have a label that’s easy to see and read‚ identifying what class of e-bike it is and the maximum speed it can go. Also, law enforcement must include the e-bike label information on incident reports.
The legislation was co-sponsored by CalBike, PeopleForBikes, Streets For All and Streets Are For Everyone and is supported by more than 100 different organizations.
SB 1167 passed the Legislature without opposition and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
SENATOR BLAKESPEAR’S RECORD
- Sen. Blakespear highlighted the safety concerns around e-bikes and what’s being done to keep cyclists and streets safe. Sen. Blakespear held two town hall-style safety events and a webinar on e-bike regulations.
- Sen. Blakespear strongly supports improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. She added a provision to this year’s state budget that prohibits the City of Encinitas from removing protected bike lanes installed with state funding. In addition, the bike lanes can only be altered if supported by safety data.
- Sen. Blakespear has secured state funding for projects improving pedestrian and cyclist mobility in communities, including $1.175 million for Mission Viejo’s Oso Creek Trail and $300,000 for Solana Beach’s Coastal Rail Trail.
Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.
