California passes e-bike regulation and transit funding bills

California lawmakers have passed two key pieces of legislation aimed at improving transportation infrastructure and regulating the electric mobility market. Both bills have cleared the legislature and now await Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature.

Senate Bill 1167 focuses on consumer protection by establishing clear distinctions between legal e-bikes and high-powered electric devices. The bill seeks to prevent the marketing of high-powered devices as standard e-bikes, ensuring that products exceeding the 750-watt limit or established speed classes are accurately identified and disclosed to consumers.

Assembly Bill 2168 aims to strengthen the state’s Active Transportation Program (ATP). The legislation is designed to maximize the impact of existing funding by improving connections to public transit and implementing penalties for agencies that fail to utilize awarded funds in a timely manner.