California Legislature Passes Two Major E-Bike Safety Bills, Governor Action Is Next

Last Updated on August 21, 2026 by Kristina

SACRAMENTO, California – August 21, 2026

California lawmakers have completed legislative approval of two significant e-bike safety measures that could change rules for young riders, local governments, retailers, manufacturers, and other bicyclists across the state. Riders can review my State-by-State E-Bike Law Guide for the broader legal framework governing electric bikes.

AB 2595 would create a San Mateo County pilot allowing participating local jurisdictions to prohibit children under 12 from operating Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes. AB 2346 is broader, adding new e-bike sales disclosures and equipment requirements while giving local governments more authority to set speed limits on bicycle paths and multiuse trails.

My guide to Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes explains the classifications referenced in these bills.

Current status – August 21, 2026: Both AB 2595 and AB 2346 have passed the California Legislature. The official legislative tracker shows that the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments on August 19 and sent both measures to Engrossing and Enrolling, the procedural stage before an enrolled bill is formally presented to the governor. Neither bill has been signed into law as of August 21.

Before riding in California, check my complete California E-Bike Laws Guide for current rules on e-bike classes, throttles, helmets, age limits, equipment requirements, and where you can legally ride.

What Happened

Both bills completed their final legislative votes on August 19.

AB 2595 passed the Senate 36-1 on August 17. The Assembly then concurred in the Senate amendments 75-0 on August 19.

AB 2346 also passed the Senate without opposition on August 17, followed by a 77-0 Assembly concurrence vote on August 19. California’s official records currently disagree on the exact Senate aye count for AB 2346, so I am not relying on that tally here.

The Legislature’s work on both measures is complete. They are now moving through enrollment before gubernatorial action.

Because neither bill has been signed, riders should not treat these proposed changes as current California law.

AB 2595: San Mateo County Could Restrict E-Bikes for Children Under 12

AB 2595, authored by Assemblymember Diane Papan, would establish the San Mateo Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program.

The bill would allow San Mateo County in its unincorporated areas, as well as local authorities within the county, to adopt an ordinance or resolution prohibiting a person under 12 years old from operating a Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycle.

It would not automatically create a countywide prohibition just because the bill becomes law. A participating local government would still have to adopt its own ordinance or resolution.

That distinction matters.

If AB 2595 is signed, an 11-year-old would not suddenly be prohibited from riding a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike everywhere in San Mateo County. Instead, the bill would give qualifying local governments the authority to establish that restriction.

How Enforcement Would Work

Before enacting a local restriction, the jurisdiction would have to conduct a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days.

• During the first 60 days, a violation would result in a warning notice.
• After the first 60 days, a violation would be an infraction punishable by a $25 fine.
• A citation would not be transmitted to the court and a fee would not be imposed if the rider’s parent or legal guardian provides qualifying proof within 120 days that the young rider completed an approved e-bike safety program or another locally recognized e-bike safety course.
• A parent or legal guardian with control or custody of an unemancipated minor could be jointly liable with the minor for the fine.

The pilot authority would remain in effect only until January 1, 2031.

If a local restriction is adopted, San Mateo County would also have to submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2030. Required information includes traffic stops, warnings and citations, certain enforcement actions, cases in which riders thought to be under 12 were actually older, participation in safety courses, and data involving serious or fatal crashes among riders under 12.

The bill also requires participating jurisdictions to consider findings from the separate San Diego Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program.

AB 2346: Speed Limits, Lights, Speedometers and Buyer Disclosures

AB 2346, authored by Assemblymembers Lori Wilson and Marc Berman, has much broader statewide implications.

The final version passed by the Legislature addresses several areas of e-bike and bicycle regulation, including local speed limits, sidewalk speeds, equipment requirements and the information consumers receive when purchasing an electric bike.

Local Bicycle-Path and Multiuse-Trail Speed Limits

AB 2346 would authorize a local government to establish speed limits of 15 mph or 20 mph on bicycle paths and multiuse trails.

A 10 mph limit could be established in limited areas with high pedestrian volumes or sight-distance challenges.

The local authority would have to place signs identifying the restricted zone and applicable speed limit within 400 feet of each end of the zone.

Importantly, this authority concerns bicycle paths and multiuse trails generally, not only e-bike riders.

Speed limits on bicycle paths or multiuse trails established before January 1, 2027, would remain in effect.

The bill would also add a 10 mph prima facie speed limit for sidewalks under the Vehicle Code. A conviction for violating that provision would not add a violation point to a driver’s record.

New Disclosures When an E-Bike Is Sold

AB 2346 would require e-bike sellers and distributors to provide buyers with specified information in writing at or before the point of sale.

• The e-bike’s classification
• Maximum speed
• Continuous and peak motor wattage
• Applicable age restrictions
• Helmet requirements
• A written description of California e-bike laws
• The website address for California’s e-bike safety and training program
• A recommendation that people under 16 not ride an e-bike faster than 15 mph
• A warning that illegally modifying an e-bike’s speed capability can cause the vehicle to fall under licensing, registration and insurance requirements that apply to motorized bicycles or motorcycles

Violations of the sales and labeling provisions would be infractions, with escalating maximum fines for repeat convictions.

California Already Requires E-Bike Classification Labels

One clarification is important here.

California law already requires e-bike manufacturers and distributors to permanently label an e-bike with its classification number, top assisted speed and motor wattage. That requirement has been in Vehicle Code Section 312.5 since 2017.

AB 2346 should therefore not be described as creating e-bike classification labels for the first time.

Instead, the bill places similar permanent-label language within its new e-bike equipment provisions while adding the new point-of-sale disclosures described above.

Class 2 Speedometers and E-Bike Lights Starting in 2029

Beginning January 1, 2029, AB 2346 would require all Class 2 electric bicycles manufactured, sold or offered for sale in California to have a speedometer.

This is another important detail because earlier versions of the legislation applied the speedometer requirement more broadly. The final version passed by the Legislature specifies Class 2 e-bikes.

Beginning on the same date, all electric bicycles manufactured, sold or offered for sale would have to be equipped with:

• An integrated or detachable white front lamp visible as specified in the bill
• A red rear lamp visible as specified in the bill

The legislation requires the front light to be visible from 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle, while the rear lamp must be visible from 500 feet behind and from the sides.

The Final AB 2346 Does Not Create an Under-16 15 MPH Legal Cap

Another important change is what the final version does not do.

An earlier version of AB 2346 proposed prohibiting riders under 16 from operating an e-bike faster than 15 mph on a highway or bicycle path.

That proposed operating restriction was removed before the Legislature passed the bill.

Instead, the final version requires sellers and distributors to provide buyers with a recommendation that people under 16 should not ride an e-bike faster than 15 mph.

That is substantially different from establishing a statewide 15 mph legal speed limit specifically for riders under 16.

This is an important example of why pending legislation needs to be checked against the latest bill text instead of relying on an earlier committee analysis, news report or advocacy summary.

Why California Is Focusing on E-Bike Safety

California lawmakers have been considering multiple e-bike and electric two-wheel vehicle measures as riders, local governments and safety advocates debate how the state should handle younger riders, higher-speed devices and vehicles that do not meet California’s legal definition of an e-bike.

A December 2025 study from the Mineta Transportation Institute, conducted at the direction of the Legislature under SB 381, examined California e-bike regulation, crash and injury data, safety research and possible policy responses.

Among the areas the researchers identified for further work were improving e-bike safety data quality, refining state regulation, building safer infrastructure and expanding public education about safe riding and rules of the road.

California law also draws an important distinction between legal e-bikes and higher-powered or modified vehicles. Under current Vehicle Code Section 312.5, an electric bicycle must have fully operable pedals and a motor that does not exceed 750 watts, along with the other requirements applicable to its class.

Who Would Be Affected?

If the bills ultimately become law, their practical effects would differ.

Families in San Mateo County: AB 2595 could affect families with children under 12, but only in communities that choose to adopt the pilot restriction.

People using bicycle paths and multiuse trails: AB 2346 could lead to new locally posted 10, 15 or 20 mph speed limits depending on the location and conditions.

E-bike riders using sidewalks where riding is otherwise permitted: AB 2346 would add a 10 mph prima facie sidewalk speed limit under the Vehicle Code.

E-bike retailers and distributors: AB 2346 would create detailed written point-of-sale disclosure requirements and penalties for noncompliance.

Manufacturers and distributors: The bill contains permanent labeling provisions and would add equipment requirements affecting e-bikes manufactured, sold or offered for sale beginning in 2029.

Parents shopping for a child’s e-bike: The new disclosures could make it easier to identify an e-bike’s class, maximum speed, motor power, age restrictions and helmet requirements before purchase.

What Happens Next?

The next procedural step is completion of the enrollment process, followed by formal presentation of the bills to Governor Gavin Newsom.

As of August 21, 2026, the official California Legislative Information pages show both AB 2595 and AB 2346 as Active Bill – Passed, with the latest action stating that they were sent to Engrossing and Enrolling on August 19.

The tracker does not yet show either measure as signed or approved by the governor.

Until that changes, neither bill should be described as current California law.

I will update this story when gubernatorial action occurs. You can also follow the Electric Bike News archive for more e-bike law and safety developments.

My Take

These two bills take noticeably different approaches.

AB 2595 is a limited local pilot. It does not establish a statewide minimum age for Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes. Instead, it would allow participating San Mateo County jurisdictions to test an under-12 restriction while collecting detailed enforcement and crash information.

AB 2346 could have a broader effect because it combines local speed-limit authority with retailer disclosures and future equipment requirements.

I think clearer information at the point of sale could be particularly useful for parents and newer riders. The legal differences between an e-bike, a modified e-bike and a faster electric motorcycle-style vehicle are not always obvious when someone is shopping.

At the same time, expanding local speed-limit authority could create a patchwork of rules from one path or community to another. If AB 2346 becomes law, clear signs and public education will be important.

For now, the most important point is simple: California lawmakers have approved both measures, but neither is law as of August 21, 2026.

📰 How This Story Was Verified

This report is based on available official documents, agency statements, meeting records, court filings, or other primary sources, with reliable reporting used for additional context. I clearly distinguish proposals from rules that have been finally approved or taken effect.

Sources

• California Legislative Information – AB 2595: San Mateo Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program
• California Legislative Information – AB 2595 bill history and votes
• California Legislative Information – AB 2346: Vehicles: Electric Bicycles and Speed Limits
• California Legislative Information – AB 2346 bill history and votes
• California Vehicle Code Section 312.5 – current electric bicycle definition and labeling requirement
• Mineta Transportation Institute – Exploring Electric Bicycle Safety Performance Data and Policy Options for California