Assembly BillChaptered/SignedVehicle
AB 545: Vehicles: electric bicycles.
What AB 545 does, verified December 7, 2025
The bill aims to amend the Vehicle Code to regulate electric bicycles. It would prohibit the sale of products and devices that can modify the speed capability of electric bicycles, ensuring they meet their defined classifications. Additionally, it would ban the sale of applications that can modify the speed capability of electric bicycles, creating a new state-mandated local program. This regulation would help maintain the integrity of electric bicycle classifications and prevent potential safety hazards.
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 37, Statutes of 2025. (2025-07-03)Alert me
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| Jul. 14, 2025 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 37, Statutes of 2025. |
| Jul. 14, 2025 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Jul. 11, 2025 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11 a.m. |
| Jul. 03, 2025 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 1932.). |
| Jul. 03, 2025 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
Latest bill textChaptered version, July 14, 2025 · 713 words
Assembly Bill No. 545
CHAPTER 37
An act to amend Section 24016 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
[ Approved by Governor July 14, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State July 14, 2025. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
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.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 24016 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:24016.
(a) An electric bicycle described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5 shall meet the following criteria:(1) Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.).
(2) Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or operate in a manner such that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, if released or activated, will cause the electric motor to disengage or cease to function.
(b) A person operating an electric bicycle is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to financial responsibility, driver’s licenses, registration, and license plate requirements, and an electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle.
(c) Every manufacturer of an electric bicycle shall certify that it complies with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.).
(d) A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5 so as to change the speed capability of the bicycle, unless the bicycle continues to meet the definition of an electric bicycle under subdivision (a) of Section 312.5 and the person appropriately replaces the label indicating the classification required in subdivision (c) of Section 312.5.
(e) A person shall not sell a product, device, or application that can modify the speed capability of an electric bicycle such that it no longer meets the definition of an electric bicycle under subdivision (a) of Section 312.5.
SEC. 2.
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.Text of AB 545 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions