This year, PeopleForBikes tracked more than 800 bills nationwide. Through targeted legal, lobbying, and grassroots efforts, we protected the bike industry from harmful proposals that would have disrupted the market and added costly new burdens to bike businesses.

Every year, PeopleForBikes saves the industry tens of millions of dollars by stopping legislation that threatens its collective success. In 2025 alone, we defeated bills that would have:

• Banned electric bicycles from trail systems and public lands
• Mandated insurance, registration, or licensing for electric bicycle riders
• Imposed expensive, unnecessary battery labeling and certification rules

At the same time, we championed legislation that opened more than 4,000 miles of trails to electric mountain bikes (eMTBs), unlocked hundreds of millions in state funding for trail development, and expanded e-bike incentive programs to encourage new riders and new sales.

The examples below show how PeopleForBikes worked to:

• Prevent costly market disruptions
• Protect millions in potential lost revenue
• Create new opportunities for future growth

Estimated Business Impact:

Problematic Bills PeopleForBikes Amended or Stopped:

Illinois (IL S2247) Battery Certification Mandate

• Original Issue: Would have required UL 2849 certification by an NRTL
• PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Aligned bill with model legislation in New York and California
• Avoided Costs: $400–$900 per battery, $2,000–$5,000+ per e-bike

California (CA SB455) Class 3 E-Bike Restrictions

• Original Issue: Would have required sellers to change labeling and notify customers that Class 3 throttle bikes were illegal
• PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Bill was tabled
• Avoided Costs: Millions in legal exposure and supply chain changes

Florida (FL HB291, SB800) Battery Water-Resistance and Portability Requirements

• Original Issues: Would have required IPX7 battery testing and mandated removable batteries
• PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Blocked both measures
• Avoided Costs: $400–$900 per battery; $2,000–$5,000+ per non-removable e-bike

New York (A4084/S2527, A157, S4810, S1464) Licensing, Registration, Packaging, and Storage Requirements

• Original Issues: The range of bills would have increased costs and compliance burdens
• PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Prevented new registration/licensing rules and complex packaging laws
• Avoided Costs: Millions in lost sales, packaging redesign costs, and retailer burden

Hawaii (HB435, HB515) Registration and Labeling Rules

• Original Issues: Permanent fees, stricter classification, and mandatory re-labeling
• PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Prevented new registration and licensing rules that would have compromised sales and market share — worked to promote three-class adoption and e-moto regulation instead
• Avoided Costs: Compliance burdens would discourage first-time buyers and strain retailers

Positive Bills PeopleForBikes Supported:

California (CA SB586) E-Moto Definitions

• PeopleForBikes’ Role: Co-led efforts with the Motorcycle Industry Council and other advocacy groups
• Impact: First state law definition on “e-moto” requires registration of off-road electric dirt bikes, distinguishes e-moto products, and preserves access for electric bicycles on roads, paths, and trails

Colorado (CO HB25-1197) Multi-Mode Product Clarity

• PeopleForBikes’ Role: Helped shape labeling language to follow model laws in Utah and Minnesota
• Impact: Protects the integrity of e-bike classifications and helps legitimize new technologies

PeopleForBikes’ goal is to promote bipartisan legislation that grows bicycling and the bike industry across the U.S. We often work behind the scenes because this is the most effective way to influence legislators. 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 can represent the industry because we are constantly engaging with our committee members about these bills as they are being developed. 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.