California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1167 into law on September 30, establishing clearer distinctions between electric bicycles and higher-powered electric devices. The law prohibits vehicles that do not meet California’s e-bike definition from being advertised, labeled or sold as e-bikes.

Introduced by Senator Catherine Blakespear and co-sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike), PeopleForBikes, Streets Are For Everyone and Streets For All, SB 1167 maintains the existing Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bike definitions, including the 750-watt power limit.

The law requires manufacturers, importers and sellers of electric mopeds and electric motor-driven cycles to provide standardized disclosures in all advertising, including online advertising, stating that the vehicles are motor vehicles and are subject to applicable registration, operator licensing and insurance requirements when used on highways. The disclosure must also warn that existing insurance policies may not cover crashes involving the vehicle.

Under the revised definitions, electric mopeds include two- or three-wheeled vehicles powered by an electric motor producing less than 4 gross horsepower (3,000 watts) and capable of speeds up to 30 mph, whether or not equipped with pedals. Motor-driven cycles include vehicles powered by electric motors producing up to 5 gross horsepower (3,750 watts), subject to additional motor vehicle safety and equipment requirements.

Electric mopeds and motor-driven cycles are regulated as motor vehicles and must comply with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Operation on public roads requires registration, a license plate and an M1 or M2 driver’s license. Manufacturers and sellers will also be subject to applicable motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer requirements.

CalBike said the law also strengthens battery and electrical safety requirements for higher-powered electric devices and improves crash and injury data collection through vehicle classification and labeling information in incident reports.

“SB 1167 puts responsibility on sellers to represent their products honestly and helps protect public confidence in legal e-bikes,” said Kendra Ramsey, Executive Director of CalBike.

Photo: California Bicycle Coalition