With California paving the way, a remarkable shift is underway as more people than ever before are opting for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles, with electric bicycles spearheading this trend. Notwithstanding the proliferation of electric bicycles, their increased popularity has coincided with a surge in high-performance models that disregard existing regulations, often being employed on public thoroughfares and designated cycling routes to the dismay of many local inhabitants.
A new regulation came into effect this week, providing clarity on which electric bicycles are street-legal and which contravene existing laws.
The legislation aims to address the growing proliferation of high-powered electric bicycles, many of which utilize conventional e-bike components yet achieve speeds and power ranges that bring their performance closer to mopeds and lightweight motorcycles.
The proliferation of e-bikes has sparked a heated discussion between those who refer to them as “e-bikes” in everyday conversation, and regulators who employ the term “electrical bicycle”. Can a significant increase in power and speed classify these vehicles outside the bicycle realm, prompting their reclassification as mopeds or motorbikes? The distinction is crucial because official classification of “electric bicycles” enables their unrestricted use across various territories, including public roads and bike paths, thereby eliminating the need for registration, titling, or insuring these vehicles.
SB No. The 1271 legislation was enacted last year and took effect on January 1, 2025. The invoice outlines various regulations, including new e-bike laws, fire safety standards, and requirements for third-party security certifications that will take effect within the next few years, along with a further refinement of the three-class e-bike system to restrict which electric bicycles may incorporate hand throttles?
Despite this, near the pinnacle of the newly enacted legislation is a succinct three-line provision that explicitly defines which vehicles are not considered “electric bicycles” under California law.
The next generation of automobiles are not classified as electric bicycles under this regulation and shall not be advertised, sold, made available for sale, or branded as electric bicycles.
A vehicle, typically with two or three wheels, driven by an electric motor designed for modification to attain speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour solely via motor power or produce more than 750 watts of energy.
A vehicle that has been altered to attain a speed exceeding 20 miles per hour solely through the application of motor power, or one that produces more than 750 watts of motor energy.
A vehicle whose functional foot controls are deliberately removed.
In California, three key factors serve to explicitly disqualify automobiles from being included within the official definition of an electric bicycle. While this classification change wouldn’t necessarily render these vehicles illegal, they could still be sold, purchased, and operated in California; it would simply preclude them from being referred to as “electric bicycles”. While some e-scooters may be illegal to operate on public roads or bike paths if they are unregistered or used in areas where their use is prohibited.
This shift doesn’t just affect how these vehicles are promoted, but also where and how they’re used. E-bikes that no longer fall under the regulatory definition of “electric bicycles” can still be used off-road on private property or where permitted, and can also be ridden on public roads if properly registered as mopeds or bikes, although this may require them to meet the regulations for their respective vehicle classes.
Provisions for high-performance e-bikes shall include design features that enable users to unlock the full potential of their electric bicycles by increasing energy output or throttle speed.
The revised text is: The main provision outlined in the new regulation applies to e-bikes designed by manufacturers to be user-modifiable, allowing them to reach speeds of more than 20 mph (32 km/h) solely under motor power, i.e., By leveraging a manual throttle that doesn’t demand pedaling, cyclists can seamlessly transition into high-speed modes, or generate more than 750 watts of power. While this doesn’t outlaw e-bikes traveling above 20mph, it instead aims to regulate those that can reach such speeds solely through throttle assistance, allowing pedal-assisted velocities of up to 28mph.
In the United States, most electric bicycles capable of long-distance touring at speeds exceeding 20 mph typically arrive preconfigured in Class 2 mode, characterized by a software-imposed top speed of 20 mph when utilizing either throttle assistance or pedal-assisted power. While some electric bicycles may be easily unlocked by consumers with just a few quick adjustments to their digital displays, taking this approach can often lead to compromised safety and performance. Typically, this unlocking feature allows riders to accelerate faster using pedal assist, reaching speeds of up to 28 miles per hour or 45 kilometers per hour. In certain instances, it also enables throttle-only driving at the same accelerated pace.
Mainstream US-based electrical bicycle manufacturers still limit throttle-only speeds to 20mph, even when the e-bike is unlocked by the consumer, thereby avoiding potential issues with the new regulation governing higher-velocity pedal-assisted performance? Although some manufacturers allow increased velocity throttle driving above 20 mph, it’s essential to note that such e-bikes would no longer be classified as electric bicycles under California regulations. Since the regulations are explicit, these e-bikes cannot be considered electric bicycles in California due to their design, which allows them to reach increased speeds exceeding 20 mph solely through throttling.
As a result, any electric bike exceeding 750 watts (or one horsepower) will no longer qualify as an e-bike in California, effectively falling outside the regulatory scope of these vehicles. This regulation, founded on energy rather than velocity, effectively casts a significantly broader net capable of capturing many, if not most, of the electric bicycles currently in operation. For years, there has been a 750-watt limit on e-bikes in the US, but this restriction has traditionally been treated as a constant power limit. The peak power output of these e-bikes is generally boosted to a range of around 900-1,300 watts, allowing them to achieve higher speeds and greater torque. Under California’s newly introduced regulation, the term “steady” has been eradicated, effectively permitting electric motors capable of transiently surpassing the 750W threshold – i.e., Most high-power motors (primarily those exceeding 750W) are expected to come under the purview of electric bicycle regulations.
The manufacturer shall ensure that e-bikes modified for increased energy or throttle speeds comply with all applicable safety and environmental regulations. Any such modifications must be certified by a qualified third-party tester to confirm compliance with relevant standards.
While the initial provision clarifies that e-bikes intended to achieve throttle-enabled speeds exceeding 20 mph or generate more than 750W of power will no longer be classified as electric bicycles, the subsequent provision addresses e-bikes that can be modified to meet these criteria, even if they were not designed for such alterations.
These tend to be smaller classes of e-bikes, typically characteristic of custom or DIY constructions. While many e-bikes are capable of operating within efficient ranges, those falling outside conventional electrical bicycle categories have simply been repurposed using the manufacturer’s own modifiable settings menu on the e-bike. While some enthusiasts opt for innovative approaches to boost their e-bike’s performance, they may choose to upgrade components such as motors or controllers to more powerful and efficient alternatives.
The second provision in the regulation aims to address many e-bikes that were not intended to be modified for enhanced speeds and energy capabilities but have nonetheless been customized to do so.
Pedals are an integral component of a bicycle, and without them, it’s essentially impossible to operate the vehicle. The absence of pedals renders the bike unusable for its intended purpose, which is to provide individuals with a means of transportation or recreational activity.
The third criterion further defines the pedaling requirement: To qualify as an electric bicycle, an e-bike must possess functional pedals that facilitate human-powered propulsion.
Although the absence of pedals does not necessarily define an e-bike as electrically powered, the omission of pedals is sufficient to disqualify it from being considered an e-bicycle under the revised regulations.
For years, the distinction has been formally codified in legislation, specifically addressing electric bikes with functional pedals that were once present but have since been removed.
California’s unchanged stance on electrical bicycles remains consistent, with the brand-new laws’ definitions mirroring the state’s long-standing three-class e-bike system, which has been in place for some time. Despite this, the regulation effectively curbs excessive e-bike usage by explicitly clarifying their non-compliant status and stripping them of their legal right to operate as electric bicycles.
Riders of Sur Ron-style e-bikes, alongside Talarias and other fashion-inspired machines that mimic the feel of mild dirt bikes, have long grappled with the fact that their vehicles aren’t legally classified as electric bicycles. Unknown producers are often unaware of the fallacies inherent in the law. In scenarios where e-bikes are engineered to mimic traditional electric bicycles, they can indeed reach remarkable speeds of 28 mph, solely driven by throttle control.
As of September 2022, California has introduced regulations for electric bicycles (e-bikes), which include defining what constitutes an e-bike and setting speed limits. Specifically, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) defines an e-bike as a bicycle equipped with fully operational electric motor that assists the rider’s pedaling but does not exceed 20 mph on flat terrain. Let’s hear your ideas within the remark part beneath.
