Bill Text: CA AB2346 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Vehicles: electric bicycles and speed limits.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Passed) 2026-09-30 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 842, Statutes of 2026. [AB2346 Detail]

Download: California-2025-AB2346-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  March 26, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2346

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Introduced by Assembly Members Wilson and Berman
(Principal coauthor: Senator Weber Pierson)
(Coauthor: Assembly Member (Coauthors: Assembly Members Boerner and Davies)

February 19, 2026

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An act to amend Section 22352 of, to add Sections 21214.8 and 21214.9 12810.1, 21214.8, 21214.9, and 22352.1 to, and to add Article 19 (commencing with Section 28170) to Chapter 5 of Division 12 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2346, as amended, Wilson. Vehicles: electric bicycles and speed limits.

(1) Existing law defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions for various purposes.

This bill would require all class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles manufactured, sold, or offered for sale on or after January 1, 2029, to be equipped with a speedometer. The bill would also require all electric bicycles manufactured, sold, or offered for sale on or after January 1, 2029, to be equipped with an integrated front lamp and a rear lamp, as specified.

The bill would also require manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles to include a written description of California’s electric bicycle laws with the bicycle’s packaging to be provided to the consumer. The bill would also require sellers and distributors of electric bicycles to provide specified disclosures at or before the point of sale. The bill would make a violation of these provisions punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $15,000 for a first violation and not to exceed $50,000 for each subsequent violation, upon an action brought by the Attorney General, a city attorney, a county counsel, or a district attorney. The bill would specify that a violation of these provisions is not a criminal offense.

(2) Existing law regulates the operation of bicycles on highways and authorizes local authorities to, among other things, prohibit, by ordinance, the operation of an electric bicycle or any class of electric bicycle on equestrian trails or hiking or recreational trails.

This bill would authorize a local authority to set a speed limit on a bicycle path of 15 or 20 miles an hour or on a multiuse trail to 10, 15, or 20 miles per hour, subject to specified signage requirements. The bill would also prohibit a person under 16 years of age from riding a self-propelled device an electric bicycle at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour on a highway or a bicycle path unless that person possesses an instruction permit issued by the department. path. The bill would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.

(3) Existing law establishes various prima facie speed limits. Existing law establishes that specified convictions and violations under the Vehicle Code and traffic-related incidents count as points against a driver’s record for purposes of the suspension or revocation of the privilege to drive, except as specified.

This bill would set additionally set a prima facie speed limit of 5 10 miles per hour on a sidewalk and 15 miles per hour for a Class IV bikeway. and specify that a conviction of a violation of that speed limit shall not result in a violation point count.

(4) Under existing law, a violation of the Vehicle Code is a crime.

By creating new requirements within the Vehicle Code, the violation of which would be a crime, this 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: YES  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 12810.1 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

12810.1.

 Notwithstanding subdivision (f) of Section 12810, a violation point count shall not be given for a conviction of a violation of Section 22352.1.

SECTION 1.SEC. 2.

 Section 21214.8 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

21214.8.

 (a) A local authority may set a speed limit on a bicycle path of 15 or 20 miles per hour, subject to subdivision (c).

(b) A local authority may set a speed limit on a multiuse trail of 10, 15, or 20 miles per hour, subject to subdivision (c).

(c) A local authority that sets a speed limit pursuant to this section shall place appropriate signs that indicate the limits of the restricted zone and the applicable speed limit within 400 feet of each end of the restricted zone.

SEC. 2.SEC. 3.

 Section 21214.9 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

21214.9.

 A person under 16 years of age shall not ride a self-propelled device an electric bicycle at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour on a highway or a bicycle path. This section does not apply to a person who possesses an instruction permit issued by the department.

SEC. 3.Section 22352 of the Vehicle Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 555 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:

22352.

The prima facie limits are as follows and shall be applicable unless changed as authorized in this code and, if so changed, only when signs have been erected giving notice thereof:

(a)Five miles per hour on a sidewalk, as defined in Section 555.

(b)Fifteen miles per hour:

(1)When traversing a railway grade crossing, if, during the last 100 feet of the approach to the crossing, the driver does not have a clear and unobstructed view of the crossing and of any traffic on the railway for a distance of 400 feet in both directions along the railway. This paragraph does not apply in the case of any railway grade crossing where a human flagperson is on duty or a clearly visible electrical or mechanical railway crossing signal device is installed but does not then indicate the immediate approach of a railway train or car.

(2)When traversing any intersection of highways, if, during the last 100 feet of the driver’s approach to the intersection, the driver does not have a clear and unobstructed view of the intersection and of any traffic upon all of the highways entering the intersection for a distance of 100 feet along all those highways, except at an intersection protected by stop signs or yield right-of-way signs or controlled by official traffic control signals.

(3)On any alley.

(4)On a Class IV bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(c)Twenty-five miles per hour:

(1)On any highway in any business or residence district unless a different speed is determined by local authority or the Department of Transportation under procedures set forth in this code.

(2)When approaching or passing a school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted with a standard “SCHOOL” warning sign, while children are going to or leaving the school either during school hours or during the noon recess period. The prima facie limit shall also apply when approaching or passing any school grounds which are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with a standard “SCHOOL” warning sign. For purposes of this subparagraph, standard “SCHOOL” warning signs may be placed at any distance up to 500 feet away from school grounds.

(3)When passing a senior center or other facility primarily used by senior citizens, contiguous to a street other than a state highway and posted with a standard “SENIOR” warning sign. A local authority may erect a sign pursuant to this paragraph when the local agency makes a determination that the proposed signing should be implemented. A local authority may request grant funding from the Active Transportation Program pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 2380) of Division 3 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other grant funding available to it, and use that grant funding to pay for the erection of those signs, or may utilize any other funds available to it to pay for the erection of those signs, including, but not limited to, donations from private sources.

(d)This section shall remain in effect until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 4.Section 22352 of the Vehicle Code, as added by Section 2 of Chapter 555 of the Statutes of 2025, is amended to read:

22352.

The prima facie limits are as follows and shall be applicable unless changed as authorized in this code and, if so changed, only when signs have been erected giving notice thereof:

(a)Five miles per hour on a sidewalk, as defined in Section 555.

(b)Fifteen miles per hour:

(1)When traversing a railway grade crossing, if, during the last 100 feet of the approach to the crossing, the driver does not have a clear and unobstructed view of the crossing and of any traffic on the railway for a distance of 400 feet in both directions along the railway. This paragraph does not apply in the case of any railway grade crossing where a human flagperson is on duty or a clearly visible electrical or mechanical railway crossing signal device is installed but does not then indicate the immediate approach of a railway train or car.

(2)When traversing any intersection of highways, if, during the last 100 feet of the driver’s approach to the intersection, the driver does not have a clear and unobstructed view of the intersection and of any traffic upon all of the highways entering the intersection for a distance of 100 feet along all those highways, except at an intersection protected by stop signs or yield right-of-way signs or controlled by official traffic control signals.

(3)On any alley.

(4)On a Class IV bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(c)Twenty miles per hour in a school zone when any of the following apply:

(1)A school speed limit sign with attached beacons states “speed limit 20 when flashing” and the beacons are flashing.

(2)A school speed limit sign states “children are present” and children are present.

(3)A school speed limit sign with specific hours, which shall be determined by the local jurisdiction.

(d)Twenty-five miles per hour:

(1)On any highway in any business or residence district unless a different speed is determined by local authority or the Department of Transportation under procedures set forth in this code.

(2)When passing a senior center or other facility primarily used by senior citizens, contiguous to a street other than a state highway and posted with a standard “SENIOR” warning sign. A local authority may erect a sign pursuant to this paragraph when the local agency makes a determination that the proposed signing should be implemented. A local authority may request grant funding from the Active Transportation Program pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 2380) of Division 3 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other grant funding available to it, and use that grant funding to pay for the erection of those signs, or may utilize any other funds available to it to pay for the erection of those signs, including, but not limited to, donations from private sources.

(e)For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1)“School zone” means an area of a highway within 500 feet of school grounds in any direction, unless otherwise posted, marked with appropriate signs giving notice of the area.

(2)(A)“Children are present” means whenever either of the following occurs:

(i)Children are going to or leaving the school.

(ii)School grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with a standard “SCHOOL” warning sign.

(B)“Children are present” does not include children who are separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier.

(f)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2031.

SEC. 4.

 Section 22352.1 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

22352.1.

 (a) In addition to the prima facie speed limits imposed by Section 22352, the prima facie speed limit for a sidewalk, as defined in Section 555, is 10 miles per hour and shall be applicable as authorized in this code and, if so changed, only when signs have been erected giving notice thereof.

(b) A conviction of a violation of this section shall not result in a violation point count pursuant to Section 12810.1.

SEC. 5.

 Article 19 (commencing with Section 28170) is added to Chapter 5 of Division 12 of the Vehicle Code, to read:

Article  19. Electric Bicycles

28170.

 (a) Manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle. The label shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle, and shall be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.

(b) Manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall include a written description of California’s electric bicycle laws with the bicycle’s packaging to be provided to the consumer.

(c) (1) Sellers and distributors of electric bicycles shall disclose, in writing, all of the following information at or before the point of sale of each electric bicycle:

(A) The classification of the electric bicycle.

(B) The maximum speed of the electric bicycle.

(C) The continuous and peak wattage of the electric bicycle.

(D) Any age restrictions on the use of the electric bicycle.

(E) The helmet requirements for an electric bicycle.

(2) Sellers and distributors of electric bicycles shall also provide a disclosure at or before the point of sale that contains the following statement in 12-point:

“IT IS AGAINST CALIFORNIA LAW FOR A PERSON TO TAMPER WITH, OR MODIFY, AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE SO AS TO CHANGE THE SPEED CAPABILITY OF THE DEVICE IN A MANNER THAT WOULD ALLOW THE DEVICE TO GO FASTER THAN PERMITTED BY LAW. MODIFYING THE DEVICE TO GO FASTER MAY RESULT IN REQUIREMENTS TO OPERATE THE DEVICE WITH AN M1 OR M2 LICENSE ENDORSEMENT, TO REGISTER THE DEVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO INSURE THE DEVICE AS A MOTORIZED BICYCLE OR MOTORCYCLE.”

(d) (1) Notwithstanding Section 40000.1, a violation of this section is not a criminal offense.

(2) Upon an action brought by the Attorney General, a city attorney, a county counsel, or a district attorney, a person or entity that violates this section shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for a first violation, and not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for each subsequent violation.

(3) A prevailing plaintiff in an action brought for a violation of this section shall be entitled to an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

28172.

 (a) All class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles, as defined in Section 312.5, manufactured, sold, or offered for sale on or after January 1, 2029, shall be required to be equipped with a speedometer.

(b) All electric bicycles manufactured, sold, or offered for sale on or after January 1, 2029, shall be required to have the following equipment:

(1) An integrated front lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front, and from the sides, of the bicycle.

(2) A rear lamp emitting a red light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway behind the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet behind, and from the sides, of the bicycle.

SEC. 6.

 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.