Papan introduces bill to target e-bike speed loophole

“It means quick acceleration, and you’re going a lot faster, and that is no longer an e-bike by definition under the law,” she said. 

Legal e-bike speeds range from 20-28 mph depending on the class, however, some throttle-powered bikes sold illegally are also exceeding these speeds, local leaders said previously during a town hall hosted by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park. 

Papan also hosted a recent forum on e-bike safety, which has become a burgeoning local concern particularly as it pertains to young people. She said that emergency room physicians at the meeting testified to the fact that they’d seen an increase in e-bike related injuries. 

“Safety is a tremendous concern, and speed is one of the biggest impacts on safety,” she said. “People were aware of my legislation, and they’re very eager to enhance safety.” 

Some areas are piloting age restrictions for e-bike usage. Marin County, for example, is piloting a new program that prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from riding class two e-bikes, which have a throttle feature that allows for quick acceleration. 

Papan said her legislation, Assembly Bill 1557, addresses e-bike technology, rather than age limitations, in an attempt to curb speeds as efficiently as possible. 

“My legislation does not focus on the rider. It focuses on the machine itself,” she said. “I think that no matter who’s riding, they won’t be caught by surprise.” 

If enacted, the bill would make it so that bikes with a maximum peak motor power of above 750 watts could no longer be sold as e-bikes. Instead, they would fall under the e-motorcycle classification, which has far stricter use restrictions. 

Although e-bikes can be extremely beneficial if used correctly, regulating safety concerns is paramount, Papan said. 

“They have a lot of promise,” she said, “but I just want us to proceed in a way that has some restraint to it, and it’s safe.”