California law officials are warning people about the safety dangers and legal requirements of electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Marin County District Attorney Lori Frugoli, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe issued a consumer alert to remind people of safety laws regarding the sale and use of e-bikes.
Two-wheeled vehicles that exceed 28 miles per hour with pedal assistance or 20 miles per hour with throttle assistance are not considered e-bikes under California law. Instead, they are considered mopeds or motorcycles that require additional licensing and come with age requirements to operate and sell.
Modifying an e-bike to exceed its speed or power limits may transform the e-bike into a motorcycle or moped under California law, and may be a crime if riders do not have appropriate licenses, according to Bonta’s office.
“Sometimes, what looks like an e-bike or is marketed as an e-bike is not a bike at all. We are seeing a surge of safety incidents on our sidewalks, parks, and streets. Bike riders and parents: If your or your teen’s electric two-wheeled vehicle goes too fast, it might be a motorcycle or a moped — not an e-bike,” Bonta stated.
E-bikes are bicycles equipped with an electric motor that provide power assistance while pedaling, and some models feature a throttle which can allow riders to power their e-bike without pedaling.
A University of California, San Francisco study found that rider injuries from e-bikes nearly doubled each year from 2017 to 2022.
The popularity of e-bikes has led to a rise in claims involving battery related fire risks and rider injuries. The number of claims involving e-bikes quadrupled from roughly 1,000 claims in 2021 to more than 4,000 claims in 2025, a recently released Verisk report found.
Two-wheeled vehicle with an electric motor with any of the features mentioned below may require registration with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and proper licensing:
- Provides pedal assistance beyond 28 miles per hour;
- Provides throttle assistance beyond 20 miles per hour;
- Has a motor with more than 750 watts of power; or
- Does not have operable pedals.
Topics
California
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