The California Government Is Coming for Your E-Bikes

5 hours ago

California lawmakers propose bills requiring license plates for some e-bikes and lowering speed limits to address safety concerns, especially for children.
Bills AB 1942 and AB 1557 aim to require DMV registration with plates for Class 2 and 3 e-bikes and reduce motor assistance speed for Class 1 and 2 bikes.
Cyclists in San Francisco oppose the bills, arguing they discourage biking, overlook car traffic as the main safety issue, and could reduce e-bike accessibility.
E-bike classes are defined by speed and motor type, with Class 3 bikes allowing up to 28 mph; e-motos, which are more powerful, are illegal on roads but sometimes mislabeled.
Critics say the real problem is e-motos and illegal modifications, not e-bikes, and that parents may inadvertently buy unsuitable devices for children.
Lawmakers cite rising e-bike use among youth and enforcement challenges as reasons for the bills, but details like plate types are still undetermined.
Additional bill SB 1167 seeks to prevent e-motos from being marketed as e-bikes to reduce confusion and misuse.
Opponents, including bike coalitions and shop owners, warn the laws could deter ridership, restrict supply, and complicate e-bike adoption without solving core safety issues.

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