SB 1167: Vehicles: electric bicycles.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750 watts of power. Existing law classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions for various purposes, and requires, among other things, a class 3 electric bicycle to be equipped with a speedometer. Existing law prohibits certain vehicles that do not meet the definition of an electric bicycle from being advertised, sold, offered for sale, or labeled as an electric bicycle, as specified. A violation of the Vehicle Code is a crime.

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.

Existing law defines a motor-driven cycle as any motorcycle with a motor that displaces less than 150 cubic centimeters.

This bill would revise the definition of motor-driven cycle to mean any motorcycle propelled by an internal combustion engine that displaces less than 150 cubic centimeters, or by an electric motor that produces 5 gross brake horsepower (3,750 watts) or less, and is designed for highway use, complies with all applicable federal motor safety standards, has a 17-digit vehicle identification number and a safety certification label, and meets all of the equipment requirements of the Vehicle Code.

Existing law defines a motorized bicycle or moped as a two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor that produces less than 4 gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.

This bill would delete references to motorized bicycle in the Vehicle Code and replace the term with “moped.” The bill would revise the definition of a moped to mean a two-wheeled or three-wheeled device that has an electric motor or an internal combustion engine that produces less than 4 gross brake horsepower (3,000 watts), is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground, is designed for highway use, complies with all applicable federal motor safety standards, has a 17-digit vehicle identification number and a safety certification label, and meets all of the equipment requirements of the Vehicle Code. The bill would specify that a moped may be equipped with operable pedals for propulsion by human power.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 10 · Republican 5

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 30, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 846, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 30, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 4, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. August 28, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 27, 2026Ordered to special consent calendar.
6. August 25, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
7. August 25, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6519.) Ordered to the Senate.
8. August 20, 2026Ordered to third reading.
9. August 20, 2026Read third time and amended.
10. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
11. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 13).
12. August 13, 2026Assembly Rule 63 suspended.