AB 2346: 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 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 or detachable front lamp and a rear lamp, as specified.

The bill would also require sellers and distributors of electric bicycles to provide specified disclosures disclose specified information at or before the point of sale. sale, including, among other things, the classification and maximum speed of the electric bicycle and a recommendation that persons under 16 years of age should not ride an electric bicycle at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour. The bill would make a violation of these provisions punishable as an infraction, as specified.

(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 10, 15, or 20 miles an hour or on a multiuse trail to 10, 15, or 20 miles per hour, as specified, subject to specified signage requirements. However, the bill would specify that speed limits on a bicycle path or multiuse trail established prior to January 1, 2027, shall remain in effect. The bill would also prohibit a person under 16 years of age from riding an electric bicycle at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour on a highway or a bicycle path, but would require a peace officer to only issue warning citations until December 31, 2027. 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 drivers record for purposes of the suspension or revocation of the privilege to drive, except as specified.

This bill would additionally set a prima facie speed limit of 10 miles per hour on a sidewalk 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.