A new law changes the classification of e-bikes in California

On Behalf of | Jan 14, 2025 | Legislation |

California lawmakers have enthusiastically embraced the idea of electric bicycles or e-bikes. The state has implemented several laws regulating e-bikes and encouraging their use among consumers. However, there have been issues.

Concerns about particularly young people riding e-bikes and unsafe e-bike design have inspired numerous proposed legal changes. Some of those changes have made their way into state law, while others did not pass the legislature.

One of the bills passed in 2024 recently took effect. The state has moved to limit what types of electrically-supported bicycles qualify as e-bikes. Riders and prospective purchasers may need to review the specifications for e-bikes carefully to ensure they are road-legal.

What did lawmakers change?

As e-bikes become increasingly popular, new regulations are all but inevitable. Lawmakers took action in response to complaints about substandard e-bikes on the market, house fires and post-purchase modifications creating extra risks on the road.

If the bicycle features design elements that allow for certain post-purchase modifications, riders may no longer be able to classify them as e-bikes. If users can adapt the bicycle to travel at more than 20 miles per hour (mph), then it may not be an e-bike under the new law.

Additionally, if riders can remove the pedals or change the e-bike to derive more than 750 watts of power from the electric motor, the state no longer considers it an e-bike. As a result, riders can’t take these more powerful electric vehicles on bike paths or ride them on public roads.

The new rules took effect as of January 1, 2025. The law also includes safety provisions to limit the risk of poorly-designed or manufactured e-bikes reaching consumers. Ideally, those regulations will help prevent house fires, collisions and other safety issues.

Slower maximum speeds and improved quality control practices can help limit the likelihood of the e-bike contributing to an injury. Of course, crashes are still common, as e-bike riders and other cyclists have to share the road with larger vehicles.

Those affected by bicycle collisions may need help seeking financial compensation to replace their damaged vehicles and cover their injury expenses. Tracking changes to cycling and e-bike regulations may make it easier for riders and cyclists to remain compliant. People who consistently comply with the law often have the strongest cases when they require compensation after an incident involving another vehicle.