Amended in Assembly April 22, 2014

Amended in Assembly March 19, 2014

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 2173

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 begin delete motorized bicycle in one case end delete begin insert “motorized bicycle” or “moped” as any 2-wheeled or 3-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. Existing law provides a 2nd definition of “motorized bicycle” end insert 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 begin delete this type of end delete begin insert the end insert “motorized bicycle” begin insert or “moped” by increasing the gross brake horsepower the motor can produce to less than 4. The bill would also redefine the 2nd type of “motorized bicycle” end insert 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 begin delete 2 end delete begin insert 4 end insert 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) (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.