BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1096
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Date of Hearing: May 13, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
1096 (Chiu) - As Amended April 29, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
No
SUMMARY:
This bill defines classes of electric bicycles and establishes
conditions for their operation. Specifically, this bill:
AB 1096
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1)Defines an "electric bicycle" as a bicycle equipped with fully
operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts,
and establishes three classes of such bikes, as specified.
2)Requires manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles,
on or after January 1, 2017, to apply a specified label that
is permanently affixed in a prominent location.
3)Prohibits anyone under 16 from operating a Class 3 electric
bicycle, which has motor that ceases assisting the rider above
28 miles per hour, and requires anyone riding on a Class 3
bicycle to wear a helmet.
4)Prohibits the operation of a Class 3 electric bicycle on a
bicycle path or trail, bikeway, bicycle lane, equestrian
trail, or hiking or recreational trail, unless it is within or
adjacent to a roadway or unless allowed by the local
government entity having jurisdiction over such path or trail,
and authorizes these entities to also prohibit the operation
of Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles on that path or
trail.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor nonreimbursable state-mandated costs to local governments
for enforcement, offset to some extent by fine revenues.
COMMENTS:
Background and Purpose. Current law provides for two categories
of motorized bicycle. Those in the first category have a maximum
AB 1096
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allowable speed of 30 mph, pedals for human propulsion, and a
motor that produces no more than four horsepower. Bicycles in
the second category have a maximum allowable speed of 20 mph, a
1,000-watt (approximately 1.4 horsepower) motor, and pedals for
human propulsion. This 20-year-old statute did not conceive of
the types of electric bicycles that exist today.
According to the author, "Modern electric motor-assisted
bicycles are designed to behave almost exactly like a regular
bicycle - just easier to pedal - but they are regulated as
'motorized bicycles' with restrictions that bar their use on
most bicycle paths. Ambiguous language in the description of
electric bikes creates confusion for manufacturers and consumers
in this fast-growing market. AB 1096 would create improved
definitions of electric bikes and appropriately permit more
access to trails and paths."
Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081