California passes SB 1167 to regulate e-bike marketing

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 1167 into law, a measure designed to distinguish legal e-bikes from high-powered electric devices like mopeds and motor-driven cycles. The legislation aims to prevent misleading marketing that leads consumers to believe high-powered electric motorcycles are standard, regulated e-bikes that can be used in bike lanes or on shared paths.

Under the new law, manufacturers, importers, and sellers must provide specific disclosures in all advertising, including online and social media, regarding the type of vehicle being sold. This is intended to ensure that buyers, particularly parents, can shop for e-bikes without needing to investigate complex vehicle laws to ensure a product meets its description.

The bill, authored by Catherine Blakespear and supported by various state representatives, joins a growing national trend of e-bike regulation. Similar efforts, such as Colorado’s HB25-1197, also treat deceptive e-bike marketing as a trade practice violation.