California State Senator Catherine Blakespear’s bill aimed at redefining electric bikes is currently awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature.

“It’s a consumer protection bill. It’s aimed at bikes not being labeled as e-bikes when they’re actually motorcycles. You know, they’re e-motos. They go too fast. They’re being ridden by people who don’t have not been through driver training, who are too young, and they’re creating hazards for themselves and people, other people on the roads, and so the bill is really comprehensively looking at that,” Blakespear said.

The legislation, known as S.B. 1167, stipulates that bikes exceeding certain power and speed limits cannot be labeled as e-bikes. This is designed to inform consumers about the significant differences between these vehicles and true e-bikes.

“The bill would require that things that are labeled e-bikes fall into the category of what an e-bike is: class one, two, or three. And they also have various. The bill has various safety requirements,” Blakespear said.

Under California law, an e-bike is defined as having no more than 750 watts of power and limited to speeds of 20 miles per hour on throttle alone or 28 miles per hour when pedal-assisted. Blakespear’s bill would require sellers to inform consumers if they are offering more powerful vehicles that exceed these standards. Additionally, it mandates vehicle registration and operating licenses for such bikes. Blakespear emphasized the need for parents to understand what they are purchasing to ensure the safety of their children.

“It’s really clear that it’s the Wild West out there with these vehicles,” Blakespear said. “They’re not e-bikes, they’re being ridden recklessly and we need to get a handle on this.”

While Blakespear believes the bill is a significant first step toward improving e-bike safety, she acknowledges that more work remains to be done in this area.

In a related move, Governor Newsom recently signed another bill, AB1569, requiring the state to create a standardized e-bike safety and training program for students in grades seven through twelve. This initiative aims to ensure that students learn how to properly operate e-bikes and adhere to traffic laws. The California Department of Education will collaborate with the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement to develop this training program, which is set to be in place by March 2028.