CalBike In the News
Articles, editorials, news features, and podcasts
Registration is now open for the 2026 California Bicycle Summit, inviting bike advocates, planners, policymakers, and community leaders to Sacramento on April 22–24. You can register here.
E-bikes, or electronically motored bikes, have become one of the most ubiquitous forms of transportation on streets, campuses, and sidewalks in recent times. The relatively new tech has proven to be environmentally friendly, affordable, and an efficient mode of transportation for riders, but doctors and experts say the injuries they are seeing from e-bike-related incidents are anything but routine, as many people feel that the technology has leapt ahead of regulation.
Some cycling advocates are on board with robotaxis. Others see the self-driving car boom as perpetuating auto dependency.
November 16, 2025
Charged Up: The Rise of E-bikes, series Part 5: How are other communities handling the electric surge?
Governments around San Diego County, as well as statewide, are trying to pick up the pace to regulate e-bikes
November 12, 2025
Bike rider killed in South LA hit-and-run, Calbike calls for LA River path completion, and bizarre Pedal Ahead apologia
Calbike says there’s no time to waste to reach out to your Los Angeles County Supervisor, and demand completion of the LA River Bike Path by 2028.
Overwhelming demand plagued the program, but it could return in “future years,” according to the California Air Resources Board.
November 10, 2025
California puts the brakes on e-bike vouchers, transfers $18M to ‘Clean Cars’ trade-in program
CARB said the e-bike incentive program, which launched in 2024, has helped more than 2,100 Californians with low incomes purchase an e-bike with up to $2,000 in vouchers.
The first step is for the state to admit it’s trying to end the program. The second step should be making a better program.
November 6, 2025
Malibu approves watered-down PCH plan, cougar stalks OC mountain bikers, and Calbike fights back on CA ebike incentives
Less than a week after we joined with other organizations in an urgent call for support — although this is only an organization if you count the corgi — the Malibu Planning Commission voted 4 – 1 to approve desperately needed safety improvements on PCH.
November 5, 2025
California quietly kills electric bike vouchers, sending money to EV incentives instead
California is halting its landmark electric bike voucher program with no announcement and millions of dollars still in the bank, and transit advocates are frustrated that the money appears to be going to a program geared toward electric cars instead.
November 5, 2025
Officials spark backlash after silently killing multimillion-dollar program with no notice: ‘The wrong direction to be moving in’
California “quietly” and abruptly cut the cord on an extremely popular, landmark voucher program, according to KQED, leaving advocates and bicyclists confused.
November 4, 2025
California quietly kills electric bike vouchers, sending money to EV incentives instead
California is halting its landmark electric bike voucher program with no announcement and millions of dollars still in the bank, and transit advocates are frustrated that the money appears to be going to a program geared toward electric cars instead.
November 4, 2025
Free Metro Bike rides today, Calbike knew ebike vouchers killed, 1st bikeshare mayor could be coming, and no Bass on a bike
Calbike Executive Director Kendra Ramsey says she knew as early as the middle of last month that the state Ebike Incentive Program was going down the toilet.
November 3, 2025
California Quietly Kills Electric Bike Vouchers, Sending Money to EV Incentives Instead
California is halting its landmark electric bike voucher program with no announcement and millions of dollars still in the bank, and transit advocates are frustrated that the money appears to be going to a program geared toward electric cars instead.
The sun sets on what was once a promising program.
October 27, 2025
Experts urge US cities to make simple change that would keep residents healthier: ‘A public benefit’
With e-bike adoption outpacing electric cars in some cities, experts agree that cities must create infrastructure that supports the form of transport, as an even more environmentally friendly travel option than EVs. The transformative solution to traditional vehicles for short-distance travel can further reduce urban congestion, pollution, and public health challenges.
October 27, 2025
Experts urge US cities to make simple change that would keep residents healthier: ‘A public benefit’
With e-bike adoption outpacing electric cars in some cities, experts agree that cities must create infrastructure that supports the form of transport, as an even more environmentally friendly travel option than EVs. The transformative solution to traditional vehicles for short-distance travel can further reduce urban congestion, pollution, and public health challenges.
In 2026, the Summit will return to Sacramento on April 23 and 24. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join CalBike on Wednesday, April 22, for a rare bicycle-focused optional lobby day in our state’s capitol
We need to talk about e-bikes and e-scooters: The city of Alameda encourages active transportation — walking, bicycling and riding public transportation — to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) that cause global warming and sea level rise and for the health benefits.
We need to talk about e-bikes and e-scooters: The city of Alameda encourages active transportation — walking, bicycling and riding public transportation — to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) that cause global warming and sea level rise and for the health benefits.
E-bike sales are booming, providing a sustainable form of transportation that also improves public health. Yet American cities remain committed to cars.
Every two years, CalBike gathers bike advocates, transportation planners, government staffers, and more from around the state and globe at the California Bicycle Summit to exchange ideas and shape best practices for safer streets. In 2026, the Summit will return to Sacramento on April 23 and 24.
Bicyclists must follow all the same traffic laws and right-of-way rules as drivers of motor vehicles. Bicyclists also have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers. This includes stopping at stop signs and red lights and not driving under the influence or distracted. There are also other laws just for bicyclists, such as using lights and reflectors when riding at night.
The Week in Short Video at Streetsblog California
August 17, 2025
States rethink a long-held practice of setting speed limits based on how fast drivers travel
Rose Hammond pushed authorities for years to lower the 55 mph speed limit on a two-lane road that passes her assisted living community, a church, two schools and a busy park that hosts numerous youth sports leagues. “What are you waiting for, somebody to get killed?” the 85-year-old chided officials in northwest Ohio, complaining that nothing was being done about the motorcycles that race by almost daily.
Jared Sanchez is a spokesperson for the nonprofit CalBike, which advocates for better bike infrastructure. He said the law — meant to fast-track post-disaster rebuilding in Los Angeles due to the Palisades fire — delayed the new requirements, which were supposed to take effect next year.
August 17, 2025
US drivers face major change as state officials consider altering decades-old speed limit rule
The 85% rule suggests a road’s posted speed should be tied to the 15th-fastest vehicle out of every 100 traveling it in free-flowing traffic, rounded to the nearest 5 mph increment
County engineers found the 55 mph limit might be too low, relying on the controversial 85% rule, which sets speeds based on the fastest 15% of vehicles.
August 16, 2025
A decades-old rule lets drivers set speed limits on US roads. That could be changing
Road safety activists and some states are pushing to depart from a longstanding rule that sets speed limits in the United States based largely on how fast drivers actually travel
A Kern County Grand Jury released a ludicrous report about Bakersfield’s bike safety implementation. Local bicyclists demonstrate why it’s wrong.
In response to a grand jury report questioning the effectiveness of city bike lanes, local cyclists and organizations gathered for a ride to City Hall on Wednesday to emphasize the need for safe biking infrastructure in Kern County.
They’re still firming up the details, but we can announce that the 2026 California Bicycle Summit will be held in Sacramento next April.
The 4-year-old boy fatally struck by a driver in Burlingame last week was identified as Ayden Everest Fang on Monday, according to the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office. Ayden, of Burlingame, was killed after a driver struck him and a 6-year-old girl on the sidewalk in front of Truffle Poké Bar on Donnelly Avenue at about 6:25 p.m. Friday, police said. Ayden was pronounced dead at the scene, and the girl was taken to Stanford Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The girl’s identity was not immediately known.
August 11, 2025
Deadly Electric-Motor Vehicle Collisions in San Francisco Prompt Calls for Regulation
Following multiple fatalities caused by electric devices in San Francisco, traffic safety advocates are pointing to a need for stronger regulation and classification for electric-powered or motorized modes of transportation.
The California Bicycle Coalition brings together the people making California a better place to bike every two years at the California Bicycle Summit, where important conversations about policy, advocacy, planning, design, and implementation happen.
From Antioch to Oakland, advocates are making slow but steady headway that’s sometimes eclipsed by the showier projects
CalBike and 17 of our local partners submitted a letter to the California Building Standards Commission, which is updating California’s Green Building Standards Code.
July 21, 2025
Consumer advocates call on Congress to preserve the Consumer Product Safety Commission
The agency needs tools, resources and people to carry on its work, the advocates say
Mayor Daniel Lurie sees automated traffic enforcement tools as a critical addition in the face of an understaffed police department.
Despite recent efforts to improve bike safety and accessibility, Sacramento received a failing score in this year’s PeopleForBikes ratings — a system that evaluates how safe and easy it is to get around by bike.
Make that 1,256 supporters and growing.
The California Bicycle Coalition has expressed concerns over a recent Kern County Grand Jury report examining bike lanes in Bakersfield, calling the findings troubling and lacking sufficient evidence.
The California Bicycle Coalition has expressed concerns over a recent Kern County Grand Jury report examining bike lanes in Bakersfield, calling the findings troubling and lacking sufficient evidence.
Local officials want to see safety revisions in first phase; state mulling options
Last year’s ATP funded a whopping 13 projects throughout the state. This year’s will probably be similar.
Following the success of Quick-Build projects in Santa Monica, their Assemblymember wants to allow them on state highways.
On May 27, 2025, the Kern County Grand Jury released a preliminary report titled The Proliferation of Bike Lanes: Whose Road Is It? The grand jury had been asked to “examine the impact of bike lanes in Bakersfield.” It returned findings that questioned the value of installing bike lanes in Bakersfield and accused the consulting firm that developed the city’s bike plan of being “biased toward bicycles.”
May 28, 2025
Advocacy groups call for implementing daylighting law, one last AIDS/Lifecycle Ride, and next CA ebike fail tomorrow
Calbike and California Walks called on cities yesterday to implement the state’s daylighting rules.
Cyclists in California may soon be riding into a safer, faster future. A new bill introduced by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), AB 954, proposes a Bike Highway Pilot Program that could redefine how Californians travel by bike. Designed for long-distance rides of more than three miles, these bike highways would offer complete separation from motor […]
Assemblymember Steve Bennett’s (D-Ventura), new bill AB 954, that proposed a Bike Highway Pilot Program was put on hold last week.
Bill needs to be moved by May 23.
May 16, 2025
Judicial Defense of Bike Rights in Canada and California, Commuting in Minneapolis, and Bike Share in Los Angeles
The City of Oakland denied liability for a cyclist’s serious injuries due to bad pavement, arguing that the liability waiver the cyclist had signed with AIDS Lifecycle applied to the City. Last week, in Whitehead v. the City of Oakland, the California Supreme Court upheld the responsibility of cities to maintain safe street conditions for bike riders. Calbike filed an amicus brief in the case supporting cyclist Ty Whitehead’s lawsuit against Oakland. Calbike Executive Director Kendra Ramsey joins us to reflect on our win
LiveTheBay.org, the non-profit organization behind The Bay Ride, is proud to announce a new partnership with CalBike for the 2025 event. This collaboration marks an exciting new chapter as The Bay Ride approaches its 11th annual circumnavigation of the San Francisco Bay on September 13, 2025.
When Ty Whitehead was injured in a crash caused by a pothole in Oakland, it sparked an eight-year legal battle that is still being waged.
May 2, 2025
California Supreme Court Delivers Landmark Victory for Bicyclists in Whitehead v. City of Oakland
Ruling Strengthens Legal Protections and Reinforces Cities’ Responsibility to Maintain Safe Roads
May 2, 2025
California Supreme Court Delivers Landmark Victory for Bicyclists in Whitehead v. City of Oakland
Ruling Strengthens Legal Protections and Reinforces Cities’ Responsibility to Maintain Safe Roads
CalBike’s two priority bills will likely end up in the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations Committee shortly because both have price tags that require scrutiny in Appropriations.
May 1, 2025
From broken chains to heat stroke: Local bike patrol seeks volunteers to monitor Sacramento trails
The American River Bike Patrol (ARBP) is actively recruiting volunteers to monitor and assist users along the 32-mile American River Parkway in Sacramento. Volunteers provide services such as mechanical assistance, first aid, and trail safety education, with the goal of enhancing the trail experience for all users.
A new bill would allow local agencies to lower speed limits by up to 10 miles per hour in areas with high rates of pedestrian or cyclist activity.
Starting tomorrow, qualified residents can receive up to $2,000 on a new e-bike purchase. The application window will be open between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Kendra Ramsey, executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition, joins Amrit Singh on “Your Afternoon” to discuss the program.
April 22, 2025
California overhauls E-Bike voucher program after system leaves almost 100,000 applicants waiting
CARB revamps its e-bike voucher system to include random selection after Californians competed for 1,500 vouchers.
California is reopening its highly sought-after e-bike voucher program this month, offering income-eligible residents up to $2,000 toward the purchase of an electric bicycle
April 18, 2025
California Could Give You Up To $2,000 for an E-Bike Again. Here’s When 2025 Applications Open
The multimillion-dollar state fund that offers Californians up to $2,000 each to buy a brand new electric bicycle will once again start accepting applications on April 29 at 5 p.m. PT.
We aren’t supporting or opposing any of the e-bike bills at this time, but it’s worth taking a deeper dive into what we might call the E-Bike Slate to understand what regulations and threats to e-bike riding might be coming.
Cyclists can legally roll through stop signs in 10 states; research shows it’s sometimes better than stopping
Despite concerns, there’s little evidence that features like speed humps or protected bikeways significantly impede emergency response times. Instead, these features are crucial for reducing traffic injuries and fatalities.
Parking in certain areas of Orange County could soon be more difficult for drivers while pedestrians might be able to cross streets more safely in those same places.It comes as some Orange County cities are beginning to mull over how to tackle a new state parking law aimed at making streets safer for pedestrians.The law took effect in January 2024, but allowed for a one-year grace period.
Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) introduced AB 954 that would launch a pilot program for Caltrans to develop a bike highway program. Offering full separation from motor vehicles, bike highways accommodate high volumes of people traveling longer distance on bicycles (more than 3 miles) by connecting users to major destinations, employment centers, and transit hubs.
Staff has proposed a lot of improvements for the next round of e-bike vouchers.
AB 891 is sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike) who note that the bill will allow projects to be moved on the ground faster and reduce planning and engineering costs.
Cars parked near marked and unmarked crosswalks will be cited.
Cars parked near marked and unmarked crosswalks will be cited.
Experts explore new avenues to finance biking and walking infrastructure across the state.
We’ll continue to highlight a couple of bills every week that have major implications (if they become law), but in the meantime CalBike has a not-quite-exhaustive list of some of the most important mobility bills in the legislature.
February 26, 2025
Calbike lists legislative agenda, ignores hit-and-run (again); and LA council committees belatedly consider HLA
Calbike updated their legislative agenda for the coming year, calling for better and faster bike infrastructure, while reclassifying electric motorcycles and mopeds that are illegally marketed as ebikes.
It took less than an hour for every dollar to disappear. That’s what happened last December when California opened up the first round of its e-Bike incentive project, offering vouchers of up to $2,000 for a new e-Bike and gear.
February 18, 2025
CalBike Summit Session This Thursday: Creative Approaches to Funding Active Transportation Infrastructure
It’s time to get creative when planning how to fund active transportation in California.
CalBike Joins Amicus Brief in Safe Streets Accountability Case after lower courts categorized bike riders as “recreational” street users who venture onto public streets at their own risk. Kendra Ramsey, Executive Director of the California Bicycle Coalition, lays out how sweeping the implications could be for California’s riders
Project will include a HAWK signal, building ramps for those with mobility issues.
January 24, 2025
Bike Touring, Motornormativity, and Treating the Public Health Crisis of Oversized SUVs
Bike Thought by Kendra Ramsey, Executive Director of the California Bicycle Coalition
CalBike applauds Governor Gavin Newsom for leaving funding intact for the Active Transportation Program (ATP) in his proposed budget, after two years of steep cuts.
