California Bill Targets 'E-Moto' Bikes Masquerading as E-Bikes

In California, a legislative effort is underway to address significant confusion surrounding electric bicycles and their faster counterparts, often referred to as 'e-motos.' This situation has become critical as e-bike-related injuries have dramatically increased, with hospital data indicating a jump of over 1,020 percent nationwide between 2020 and 2024. Many of these incidents involve vehicles that exceed the speed and power limits typically associated with electric bicycles.

California Senate Bill 1167, sponsored by State Senator Catherine Blakespear, aims to rectify this by making it illegal for retailers to mislabel high-powered electric vehicles as e-bikes. The bill defines true e-bikes as having fully operative pedals and electric motors not exceeding 750 watts, with top speeds generally between 20 and 28 mph. This legislation is supported by advocates like the California Bicycle Coalition, who highlight that many devices marketed as e-bikes are, in reality, much faster and more powerful.

Research indicates a widespread issue, with a recent study in the San Francisco Bay Area finding that 88 percent of electric two-wheeled devices at local schools were too powerful and fast to comply with existing e-bike classifications. This trend is particularly concerning for younger riders, as teenagers accounted for 20 percent of U.S. e-bike injuries during the specified period. The proposed bill seeks to ensure that consumers, especially parents, are aware of the true capabilities of the electric vehicles they purchase, thereby improving safety on roads and paths.