Assemblymember Lori Wilson Introduces CMA-sponsored bill to modernize e-bike safety laws and protect kids

New bill would update e-bike requirements, require retailer disclosures and lower speed limits for minors

• Alexander Muegge
• Communications Director
• 916-319-2011
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Medical Association (CMA) and Assemblymember Lori Wilson today announced the introduction of Assembly Bill 2346 to modernize California's electric bicycle (e-bike) safety standards in response to a sharp rise in serious injuries among children and teenagers.

The bill aims to reduce the growing number of severe e-bike injuries, including among California's youth. The bill proposes a comprehensive modernization of California's e-bike regulations to protect children and others sharing the road and to allow the state to effectively support safer e-bike use.

The legislation is informed by a state legislature-commissioned report from the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University, which highlighted how rapid technological advancements have outpaced current laws, leading to a proliferation of "out-of-class" vehicles that lack safety measures.

"As technology evolves, our laws must keep pace to ensure our streets remain safe for everyone, especially our children," said Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee. "This bill provides parents with the information they need to keep their children safe and gives local communities the necessary tools to enforce safe speeds. We are taking an evidence-based approach to prevent tragedy before it strikes."

"Across California, we're seeing more and more children get seriously hurt while riding high-powered e-bikes that are marketed like toys but operate more like motorcycles," said Assemblymember Marc Berman, who is a joint author on AB 2346. "I am proud to join Assemblymember Wilson to crack down on those that misrepresent the speed and power of their products and put clear, enforceable guardrails in place to keep our kids safe. We can support innovation and active transportation options while making sure families aren't misled and our neighborhoods aren't put at risk."

Physicians across the state have reported a sharp increase in severe trauma injuries related to these vehicles, particularly among children and teenagers. News reports have also documented alarming instances of minors modifying e-bikes to override speed limiters, allowing them to reach speeds far exceeding their classification.

"As physicians, we see the medical consequences of high-speed e-bike crashes every day," said CMA President René Bravo, M.D. "These are powerful motorized devices, not the bikes many parents remember growing up with. When children ride them without helmets at high speeds, the injuries can be life-altering. This bill aligns safety rules with medical reality and helps prevent avoidable harm."

Key provisions of AB 2346

To address these dangers and protect children, AB 2346 would enact the following provisions:

• Beginning in 2029, require that all e-bikes sold in California be equipped with integrated lights and speedometers to improve visibility and rider awareness.
• Require manufacturers and distributors selling in e-bikes in California provide consumers with a summary of e-bike laws and regulations.
• Require retailers and distributors to clearly disclose to consumers what type of e-bike they're selling and the maximum speed, battery wattage, age restrictions, helmet requirements of the device and a warning that modifying the e-bike speed limit is illegal.
• Impose civil penalties for any manufacturer, distributor, or retailer that violates these disclosure requirements.
• Authorize local jurisdictions to adopt overall speed limits for e-bikes on bike and multi-use paths, or paths with appropriate signage.
• Impose a statewide speed limit of 15 mph for any rider aged 15 years or younger.
• Set a statewide speed limit of 5 mph when riding on a sidewalk.