In 2026, PeopleForBikes tracked nearly 700 bike-related bills nationwide. Through targeted legal, lobbying, and grassroots efforts, we protected the bike industry and everyday riders from harmful proposals that would have disrupted the market, added costly new burdens to bike businesses, and restricted where people can ride.

Every year, PeopleForBikes works to save the industry tens of millions of dollars by stopping legislation that threatens its collective success. In 2026 alone, we defeated bills that would have:

• Created new e-bike definitions, shutting out entire markets from e-bike sales
• Mandated insurance, registration, or licensing for low-speed e-bikes
• Banned electric bicycles from roads, trail systems, and public lands
• Imposed costly battery, labeling, and retailer compliance requirements

The examples highlighted below show how PeopleForBikes worked to prevent costly market disruptions, protect millions in potential lost revenue, and create new opportunities for future growth for bike businesses nationwide.

Harmful Bills PeopleForBikes Defeated in 2026

Registration, Licensing, and Insurance Mandates

PeopleForBikes defeated proposals in California, New Hampshire, and New York that would have required registration, licensing, safety certificates, license plates, insurance requirements, and other barriers for low-speed electric bicycles. These proposals would have increased costs for consumers, created new burdens for retailers, and discouraged new riders from entering the market.

Key Examples

• California AB 1942
• New Hampshire HB 1703
• New York S 9402
• New York S 10013 / A 10227

E-Bike Redefinition Bills

Several states considered legislation that would have fundamentally altered how electric bicycles are classified and sold. The most significant proposal, California AB 1557, would have reduced allowable speeds, imposed new power restrictions, and exposed manufacturers and retailers to substantial penalties for selling products that already complied with existing state and federal standards. AB 1557 represented one of the most significant threats to the U.S. e-bike market in 2026, as it would have likely shut out the entire California market without intervention. PeopleForBikes swiftly organized industry opposition and worked directly with lawmakers to stop these efforts.

Key Examples

• California AB 1557
• Illinois HB 4159

Product Design and Compliance Mandates

PeopleForBikes opposed legislation that would have restricted anti-tampering technologies, imposed costly battery-related requirements, and created significant compliance burdens for retailers.

Key Examples

• Arizona HB 2121
• New York A 11362

Trail Access and Infrastructure Threats

PeopleForBikes protected access to roads, trails, and future bike infrastructure investments by opposing legislation that would have restricted where people can ride and weakened commitments to active transportation.

Key Examples

• Iowa HSB 637
• Wisconsin HB 980

Positive Bills PeopleForBikes Advanced in 2026

While defeating harmful legislation remained a major focus in 2026, PeopleForBikes also worked proactively to advance policies that protect the three-class e-bike system, create regulatory certainty, and expand market opportunities for the bike industry.

E-Moto and Product Classification

PeopleForBikes supported legislation in California, Utah, Hawaii, and North Carolina that clarified the distinction between electric bicycles and higher-powered e-motos. These efforts help preserve access to low-speed electric bicycles while ensuring that higher-powered products are regulated appropriately.

Key Examples

• California SB 1167 (In process) — Establishes the first state law defining “e-moto” and requiring registration of off-road electric dirt bikes, distinguishes e-moto products from e-bikes, and preserves access for electric bicycles on roads, paths, and trails.
• Utah HB 381 (Signed into law) — Clarifies that the definition of motorcycle includes e-motos and addresses issues related to tampering with or modifying equipment beyond the manufacturer's original settings on an electric-assisted bicycle or motorcycle.
• Hawaii HB 2021 (Signed into law) — Establishes safety rules for e-bikes, updates definitions, restricts where e-motos can be used, adds labeling requirements, and gives authorities the power to seize e-motos while increasing enforcement around improper use.
• North Carolina HB 1094 (In process) — Adopts the three-class e-bike system.

The Big Picture

PeopleForBikes’ goal is to promote bipartisan legislation that grows bicycling and the bike industry across the U.S. The PeopleForBikes team spends months each year working directly with industry members as well as federal and state legislators to introduce positive bills and amend bad ones.

When problems do arise, PeopleForBikes represents bike businesses nationwide as the voice of the U.S. bike industry. Together with the dozens of industry leaders who volunteer on our committees, we craft legislation and create solutions that work for the majority of our members.