Press Release: SB 1167 Clears California Legislature, Heads to Governor Newsom

CalBike-backed consumer protection bill draws a clear line between legal e-bikes and high-powered electric devices marketed as e-bikes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO — The California Bicycle Coalition today celebrated the final legislative passage of SB 1167, authored by Senator Catherine Blakespear and co-sponsored by CalBike, PeopleForBikes, Streets For All, and Streets Are For Everyone. The bill now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature.

SB 1167 strengthens consumer protections by making clear what can legally be sold and marketed as an electric bicycle in California. The legislation protects legitimate Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes while requiring high-powered electric devices that fall outside those definitions to be accurately identified and disclosed to consumers.

“Consumers should know exactly what they’re buying, and products should be honestly represented,” Ramsey said. “SB 1167 draws a clear line around legal e-bikes and protects their role as one of California’s most promising transportation options. In a rapidly changing market, we should address the devices causing confusion rather than pile new restrictions onto people riding legal e-bikes.”

California law defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle with operable pedals and a motor of no more than 750 watts, with additional speed limits governing Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. But the rapidly changing electric mobility market has made those distinctions increasingly difficult for consumers to navigate.

High-powered devices capable of exceeding legal e-bike power and speed limits are increasingly advertised using e-bike terminology, including in marketing aimed at young people. That confusion can leave families unaware that the device they are purchasing falls beyond California’s e-bike rules.

SB 1167 addresses that problem by:

• Protecting California’s legal e-bike definitions, including the 750-watt power limit and established Class 1, 2, and 3 speed limits.
• Strengthening truthful marketing requirements so devices that fall outside the legal definition cannot be advertised, labeled, or sold as e-bikes.
• Improving labeling and disclosure requirements so consumers have clearer information about the type of electric device they are purchasing.
• Strengthening battery and electrical safety requirements for high-powered electric devices.
• Improving crash and injury data by requiring incident reports to record available classification and labeling information, helping California better understand which types of devices are involved.

SB 1167 previously passed the Senate 37-0 and advanced through the Assembly Transportation Committee and Assembly Appropriations Committee without a single opposing vote.

CalBike urges Governor Newsom to sign SB 1167 into law.

About the California Bicycle Coalition

The California Bicycle Coalition advocates for equitable, inclusive, and prosperous communities where bicycling helps enable all Californians to lead healthy and joyful lives.