Vehicles: electric bicycles.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific consequences for selling apps that modify electric bicycle speeds.

Electric Bicycles: Selling Speed-Modifying Apps

AB-545 prohibits the sale of apps that can modify the speed capability of electric bicycles and clarifies that no state funding is required for local agencies due to this law.

What This Bill Does

• Defines three types of electric bicycles based on their motor capabilities and speed restrictions.
• Prohibits selling products or devices that alter an electric bicycle's speed so it doesn't meet the legal definition anymore.
• Adds a new rule against selling apps that can modify the speed capability of electric bicycles.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who sell products or devices for electric bicycles.
• Manufacturers and sellers of smartphone applications.

Terms To Know

Class 1 Electric Bicycle

An electric bicycle that helps the rider pedal up to a speed of 20 miles per hour but stops helping once it reaches this speed.

Class 2 Electric Bicycle

An electric bicycle where the motor can move the bike without pedaling, but it stops working when the bike reaches 20 miles per hour.

Class 3 Electric Bicycle

An electric bicycle that has a speedometer and helps the rider pedal up to a speed of 28 miles per hour before stopping assistance.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if someone sells an app that changes the speed limit on an electric bike.
• It is unclear how this law will be enforced or who will check for violations.

Official Summary Text

AB 545, Davies.
Vehicles: electric bicycles.
Existing law defines an electric bicycle and classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions. Under existing law, a “class 1 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that, among other things, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a “class 2 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a “class 3 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a speedometer and a motor that, in pertinent part, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide
assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. Existing law prohibits a person from selling a product or device that can modify the speed capability of an electric bicycle so that it no longer meets the definition of an electric bicycle. A violation of the Vehicle Code is an infraction.
This bill would also prohibit a person from selling an application that can modify the speed capability of an electric bicycle. By creating a new prohibition with respect to the modification of an electric bicycle, the violation of which is an infraction, 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.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF