Sen. Blakespear Introduces Legislation to Improve the E-Bike Marketplace
SB 1167 makes clear that electric vehicles too powerful or fast to meet the definition of an e-bike are not to be marketed or sold as e-bikes
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, has introduced legislation to address misrepresentation in the e-bike marketplace and strengthen consumer protections around how electric bicycles are marketed and sold.
The legislation prevents manufacturers and sellers from labeling an electric 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.
“Faster and more powerful electric motorcycles are being marketed as e-bikes, which is dangerous to children and adults,” Sen. Blakespear said. “SB 1167 makes clear to consumers whether they are buying an e-bike, which has defined limits for power and speed, or something else.”
The popularity of electric bicycles, known as e-bikes, in recent years 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 the same as bicycles.
SB 1167 expressly states that misrepresenting faster electric vehicles as e-bikes is false advertising that can be prosecuted. In addition, sellers of faster and/or more powerful vehicles would be required to inform consumers that they don’t meet the definition of an e-bike and therefore require vehicle registrations and licenses to operate.
The legislation is co-sponsored by CalBike, PeopleForBikes, Streets For All and Streets Are For Everyone.
"PeopleForBikes is pleased to work with Senator Blakespear, her staff and state advocacy partners to craft this important legislation,” said Matt Moore, General and Policy Counsel for PeopleForBikes. “By creating a much needed and robust regulatory structure for electric mopeds and other electrically powered cycles, this legislation will close important gaps in California law that have allowed these fast motorized vehicles to proliferate and be inappropriately used by underaged and unlicensed operators. By focusing on E-motos and the safety concerns they have created, the bill will also help protect low-speed electric bicycles as an affordable and safe transportation alternative for Californians."
"CalBike is thrilled to support this commonsense legislation which preserves access to legal e-bikes while providing a path toward legal use for faster devices which exist in a dangerous gray area,” said Kendra Ramsey, Executive Director of CalBike. “We thank Senator Blakespear for her leadership on this critical safety issue."
“Electric bicycles are transforming how Californians get around, but the rapid rise of high-powered electric devices has created confusion that puts people at risk,” said Marc T. Vukcevich, Director of State Policy for Streets For All. “SB 1167 draws a clear line between true e-bikes and electric motorcycles, strengthens consumer disclosures at the point of sale, and ensures that higher-speed vehicles follow the same safety and registration rules as other motor vehicles. This bill protects responsible riders while holding manufacturers and sellers accountable — giving California a framework that supports innovation without compromising public safety.”
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.