With more and more e-bikes on the road, bike safety has never been more important in our community. California has officially passed SB 1167, a bill that finally defines and regulates e-motos. Bike Culver City, a local non-profit organization, played an important part in making this happen.
Earlier this year, some members of Bike Culver City traveled up to Sacramento for the Cal Bike Conference, and took the time to meet with state legislators to advocate for this bill.
SB1147, authored by Catherine Blakespear, (D-Encinitas) and supported by more than a dozen state representatives from both parties, is a ‘fix’ for some gaps in the previous law.
Prior to SB 1147, the law required every manufacturer of a motorized bicycle or moped to provide a specified disclosure to buyers. This bill would instead require every manufacturer, importer, or seller of a motor-driven cycle, moped, or off-highway electric motorcycle that is powered by an electric motor to provide a specified disclosure to all potential buyers in any advertising, including any online advertising on internet websites or social media.
This bill would amend the type of vehicles that are prohibited from being advertised, sold, offered for sale, or labeled as electric bicycles, including, among others, motor-driven cycles and mopeds. By expanding the application of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill ensures that families won’t accidentally purchase a high-powered, license-required, electric motorcycle for their kids thinking it’s a safe, regulated e-bike.
The bill was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sept. 30, 2026.
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo courtesy Travis Morgan
