State e‑bike bills would require speedometers, set speed limits and expand student training

At the Sept. 28 meeting Transportation Manager Soren Fajot gave a summary of current state legislation addressing electric bicycles.

Fajot said eight e‑bike‑related bills have been introduced this legislative session out of 1,846 total bills and that two bills are chaptered into law while two more are on the governor’s desk. He described the bills by short name and effect: SB 1167 would allow enforcement against misclassification or mislabeling of vehicles like e‑bikes and tie violations to false‑advertising rules; AB 2346 would require new Class 2 e‑bikes sold on or after Jan. 1, 2029 to include a speedometer and integrated detachable front and rear lamps, require sellers to disclose classification and maximum speed at point of sale and would authorize local speed limits (10/15/20 mph) on multiuse paths and sidewalks; AB 1614 (chaptered) requires operators on Class 1 bikeways to ride on or astride a permanent seat and require separate seats for passengers; AB 1569 (chaptered) directs the State Department of Education and the CHP to develop an e‑bike safety and training program for students in grades 7–12.

"There are 2 bills at the moment that have been signed and chaptered into law, and then 2 other bills that are on the governor's desk awaiting signature," Fajot said. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about age ranges and enforcement implications; staff noted the bills would give local authorities some tools (for example, local speed limits on paths) but that many implementation details would be set in future regulations or local ordinances.