Bill Text: CA AB1774 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Vehicles: electric bicycles.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2024-07-02 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 55, Statutes of 2024. [AB1774 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AB1774-Chaptered.html
Assembly Bill
No. 1774
CHAPTER 55
An act to amend Section 24016 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
[
Approved by
Governor
July 02, 2024.
Filed with
Secretary of State
July 02, 2024.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1774, Dixon.
Vehicles: electric bicycles.
Existing law defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and requires electric bicycles to comply with specified equipment and manufacturing requirements. Existing law prohibits a person from tampering with or modifying an electric bicycle so as to change the speed capability of the bicycle, unless they appropriately replace the label indicating the classification required, as specified. A violation of the Vehicle Code is a crime.
This bill would clarify that the exception to this prohibition only applies if the bicycle continues to meet the definition of an electric bicycle. This bill would prohibit a person from selling a product or device that can modify the speed capability of an electric bicycle such that it no longer meets the definition of an electric bicycle.
Because the bill would prohibit a person from selling certain products, the violation of which would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 24016 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:24016.
(a) An electric bicycle described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5 shall meet the following criteria:(1) Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.).
(2) Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or operate in a manner such that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, when released or activated, will cause the electric motor to disengage or cease to function.
(b) A person operating an electric bicycle is not subject to the provisions
of this code relating to financial responsibility, driver’s licenses, registration, and license plate requirements, and an electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle.
(c) Every manufacturer of an electric bicycle shall certify that it complies with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.).
(d) A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5 so as to change the speed capability of the bicycle, unless the bicycle continues to meet the definition of an electric bicycle under subdivision (a) of Section 312.5 and the person
appropriately replaces the label indicating the classification required in subdivision (c) of Section 312.5.
(e) A person shall not sell a product or device that can modify the speed capability of an electric bicycle such that it no longer meets the definition of an electric bicycle under subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
