BILL NUMBER: AB 2173 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 19, 2014
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bradford
FEBRUARY 20, 2014
An act to amend Sections 406, 21207.5, and 24016 of the Vehicle
Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2173, as amended, Bradford. Vehicles: electric bicycles.
Existing law defines a motorized bicycle in one case as a device
that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power and has
an electric motor that meets specified requirements, including that
it has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts, is incapable of
propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on
ground level, and is incapable of further increasing the speed of the
device when human power is used to propel the motorized bicycle
faster than 20 miles per hour, and requires it to meet other
specified criteria.
This bill would redefine this type of "motorized bicycle" by,
among other things, renaming it a "low-speed electric bicycle,"
stating that it can have either 2 or 3 wheels, lowering the maximum
power output to 750 watts, and requiring that it weigh no more than
80 pounds. The bill , except as provided, would
exempt a low-speed electric bicycle from the provision prohibiting
the operation of a motorized bicycle on a bicycle path or trail,
bikeway, bicycle lane established as provided, equestrian trail, or
hiking or recreational trail. The bill would also make conforming
changes.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 406 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
406. (a) A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or
three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by
human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical
energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor that produces less
than 2 gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device
at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level
ground.
(b) A "low-speed electric bicycle" is a two-wheeled or
three-wheeled device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion
by human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the
following requirements:
(1) Has a power output of not more than 750 watts (1 hp).
(2) Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than
20 miles per hour on a paved level surface, when powered solely by a
motor when ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds.
(3) Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device
when human power is used to propel the device faster than 20 miles
per hour.
(4) Has a weight of not more than 80 pounds.
(5) Every manufacturer of low-speed electric bicycles, as defined
in this subdivision, shall provide a disclosure to buyers that
advises buyers that their existing insurance policies may not provide
coverage for these bicycles and that they should contact their
insurance company or insurance agent to determine if coverage is
provided.
(c) The disclosure required under paragraph (5) of subdivision (b)
shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1) The disclosure shall be printed in not less than 14-point
boldface type on a single sheet of paper that contains no information
other than the disclosure.
(2) The disclosure shall include the following language in capital
letters:
"YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES MAY NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENTS
INVOLVING THE USE OF THIS BICYCLE. TO DETERMINE IF COVERAGE IS
PROVIDED YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT."
SEC. 2. Section 21207.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
21207.5. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), and
notwithstanding Sections 21207 and 23127 or any other law, a
motorized bicycle shall not be operated on a bicycle path or trail,
bikeway, bicycle lane established pursuant to Section 21207,
equestrian trail, or hiking or recreational trail, unless it is
within or adjacent to a roadway or unless the local authority or the
governing body of a public agency having jurisdiction over that path
or trail permits, by ordinance, that operation.
(b) The (1) Except
as provided in paragraph (2), the prohibition on a motorized
bicycle being operated on a bicycle path or trail, bikeway, bicycle
lane established pursuant to Section 21207, equestrian trail, or
hiking or recreational trail, pursuant to subdivision (a), does not
apply to a low-speed electric bicycle as defined in subdivision (b)
of Section 406.
(2) The local authority or the governing body of a public agency
having jurisdiction over a bicycle path or trail, bikeway, bicycle
lane established pursuant to Section 21207, equestrian trail, or
hiking or recreational trail, by ordinance, may prohibit the
operation of a low-speed electric bicycle, as defined in subdivision
(b) of Section 406, on that path, trail, bikeway, or lane.
SEC. 3. Section 24016 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
24016. (a) A low-speed electric bicycle described in subdivision
(b) of Section 406 shall meet the following criteria:
(1) Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for
bicycles adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R.
1512.1, et seq.) or the requirements adopted by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (49 C.F.R. 571.1, et seq.) in
accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1381, et seq.) for motor driven cycles.
(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, when released, will cause the electric motor to disengage or
cease to function.
(b) All of the following apply to a low-speed electric bicycle
described in subdivision (b) of Section 406:
(1) A person shall not operate a low-speed electric bicycle unless
the person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet
that meets the standards described in Section 21212.
(2) A person operating a low-speed electric bicycle is subject to
Sections 21200 and 21200.5.
(3) A person operating a low-speed electric bicycle is not subject
to the provisions of this code relating to financial responsibility,
driver's licenses, registration, and license plate requirements, and
a low-speed electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle.
(4) A low-speed electric bicycle shall only be operated by a
person 16 years of age or older.
(5) Every manufacturer of a low-speed electric bicycle shall
certify that it complies with the equipment and manufacturing
requirements for bicycles adopted by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.).
(c) A person shall not tamper with or modify a low-speed electric
bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406 so as to increase
the speed capability of the bicycle.