On September 30, California SB 1167 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Senator Catherine Blakespear and championed by PeopleForBikes, CalBike, Streets for All, and Streets are For Everyone, the bill marks a significant step forward for protecting consumers, preserving access to legal electric bicycles (e-bikes), and creating much-needed rules for higher-powered electric mobility devices in California.

SB 1167 establishes a clearer distinction between legal electric bicycles and higher-powered vehicles that are not e-bikes under California law. The legislation reinforces the state’s existing 750-watt and maximum speed limits for e-bikes while strengthening requirements for how e-bikes and other electric vehicles are labeled, marketed, sold, and operated.

“PeopleForBikes would like to thank Senator Blakespear, her staff, and our advocacy partners for their relentless work to advance this comprehensive approach to regulating fast electric devices and e-motos that are being deceptively marketed to Californians,” said Matt Moore, policy counsel for PeopleForBikes. “By focusing on solutions to the increasing safety concerns associated with these products, SB 1167 will protect consumers, help preserve access to legitimate low-speed electric bicycles, and promote their adoption and use.”

The new law makes it clear that vehicles exceeding California’s legal e-bike limits cannot be marketed or labeled as e-bikes. This distinction helps consumers understand what they are purchasing and what legal and safety requirements apply to different types of electric vehicles.

SB 1167 strengthens transparency and supports effective enforcement by establishing clear labeling requirements for e-bikes and other electric mobility devices, improving crash and incident data collection, and requiring affirmative consumer disclosures for certain higher-powered electric vehicles. The law additionally establishes safety-standard requirements for batteries and charging systems used with mopeds and off-highway electric motorcycles.

The enactment of SB 1167 represents an important milestone in PeopleForBikes’ efforts to establish clear, consistent, and enforceable rules for e-bikes and draw clear definitional and regulatory lines between e-bikes and emerging faster electric devices and e-motos that should be regulated as motor vehicles. By protecting the integrity of the e-bike category while establishing appropriate requirements for higher-powered vehicles, the new law supports consumer clarity, responsible e-bike use, and the continued growth of electric bicycles as an accessible option for transportation and recreation in California.