Starting today, California is coming for your e-bike throttles
Posted by Impressive-Coast3441@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 30 comments
Has anyone seen this new law in California ? "Under the new law, Class 3 electric bicycles capable of speeds up to 28 mph will no longer be able to feature a functional throttle. That means starting today, if a manufacturer wants to sell a Class 3 e-bike in California, it must come without a functional throttle."How does this effect Wired bikes?
Starting today, California is coming for your e-bike throttles
Sheshirdzhija@reddit
But a throttle on class 3 in USA has to be limited to 20mph, right? So it's slower.
I guess they realized everybody is unlocking the throttle. Give people a finger, they take the arm situation.
Flush_Foot@reddit
Umm… if it has a throttle and is limited to 20 mph, then it’s really just a Class 2 e-bike (which allows pedal-assist and throttle up to 20 mph)
Aggravating-Plate814@reddit
I own one, Specialized Globe Haul. It's able to use throttle up to 20 mph then if you want pedal assist up to 28 you need to pedal.
New_Investment_8782@reddit
Exactly the same with mine. Im aware you can dig into settings for some extra speed. But that little motor ultimately has a limit, dont believe you gain more than few miles per hour
jrdhytr@reddit
Throttle is not allowed on a Class 3 e-bike. These classes have been in effect in several states (including NJ where I live) and predate CA's new legislation. The language below has been in effect since at least Jan 2023:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/motorcycle-handbook/two-wheel-vehicle-operation
Electric Bicycles
An electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Three classes of electric bicycles have been established:
Class 1: A low speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor which provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of 20 mph is reached.
Class 2: A low speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor used exclusively to propel the bicycle and NOT capable of providing assistance when a speed of 20 mph is reached.
Class 3: A low speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a speedometer, and a motor which provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of 28 mph is reached. The operator of a Class 3 electric bicycle:
Must be 16 years old or older.
Must wear a bicycle safety helmet.
Must not transport passengers.
May ride an electric bicycle in a bicycle lane if authorized by local authority or ordinance.
All electric bicycle classes are exempt from the motor vehicle financial responsibility, DL, and license plate requirements (CVC §24016).
jollyjam1@reddit
If there are other states that have done something already, including where you're from, why does it seem like these new CA laws are being treated as first of their kind in the US?
jrdhytr@reddit
California made a minor clarification of a rule which has existed for years but has gone largely unpoliced. All that has changed is the intention to start policing it. Some of the bikes in question are sold in class 2 mode with a unlockable off-road mode, but 28mph with throttle was never strictly legal.
jollyjam1@reddit
Thanks for that. Maybe I'm just a naive rider, but how can class 2s even become "pseudo" class 3s? That just makes it feel like you'd never need to buy a class 3 (and deal with everything that comes with it) if you can technically modify your class 2.
jrdhytr@reddit
Here's an example of a popular Class 3-capable bike that ships as a Class 2:
https://help.lectricebikes.com/article/ynod5pahen-how-do-i-change-speed
Note that to strictly adhere to Class 3, you would also have to follow the Class 1 instructions to turn off the throttle.
scots@reddit
Based on the poll in this sub a few months ago, almost no one here would care if they banned Class 3 ebikes and above entirely. If you can go 35 miles per hour on something with zero peddling for 40 miles, it's not a bicycle, decorative pedals or not.
WRBToyBaru@reddit
This is how it all begins. Soon the state will be telling you that going more than 8mph requires an operators license and registration.
Same shit they pull with firearms, first it's a feature three ban, then entire weapons and ultimately confiscation is the goal.
Don't fight back on the this? Give them this inch? They take a mile
I have a heavy ebike with cadence and use the throttle to get moving.
Last night I pedaled (with minor assist) 25 miles in one direction then used throttle only to cruise back at 30mph as my phone died and it was getting dark.
a-bser@reddit
No, it's not how it begins. This action is a result of years of too many people being reckless and irresponsible with something that can cause harm to themselves and others.
It's not about control. It's showing you that you can't be trusted with making the right decisions that benefits everyone so they're going to do it for you.
sandalwithsocks@reddit
It's 100% about control. They see that sales of Ebikes have been going up and the politicians want a piece of the pie. People want autonomy on how they choose to travel. The government wants regulation so they can charge you money. Just take a look at all the trivial and ridiculous laws they have around vehicles. Registration->Money, Window Tint Violation ->Money, Crossing a bridge?->Money. It's all about money plain and simple.
You don't see them making the same arguments for electric vehicles that have ridiculous acceleration/torque.
There's absolutely no reason why a Tesla plaid or a Dodge Hellcat should even be road legal. 650 Motorcycles that are capable of doing +200mph on public roads? Tell me why I shouldn't be able to do 35mph on a damn bicycle? When there's countless amounts of idiots in suped up cars and grossly lifted trucks equipped with blinding lights on the highways.
Why are they not regulating all of those things revolving around vehicles and instead choosing to attack bicycles?
WRBToyBaru@reddit
How dare you voice reason, downvote!
sandalwithsocks@reddit
I know right?? I've learned that most people in this Ebike sub mainly ride 28mph road bikes/MTBs and love their PAS only no throttle old people bikes lol
Jaded_Assistance_906@reddit
But do you think it will be enforced and people will listen? No
armandcamera@reddit
Calm down. Class 3 e-bikes have NEVER had throttles. Maybe pay attention.
SoCal4247@reddit
I’m so confused. Most e-bikes I have seen, including the one I have (Lectric), have an option for class 3 that has a functional throttle. Why am I seeing so many people here saying class 3 doesn’t have a throttle?
ancientstephanie@reddit
Because most of the manufacturers took creative liberty with the law and assumed they could follow one set of laws at 20mph and below, and another set at 20mph and above, when what's really intended is that they pick a class and stick to the rule book for that class.
A bike belongs to one class. A class 3 e-bike can't borrow some of the class 2 rules.
batido6@reddit
Why is Class 2 allowed to throttle assist but Class 3 cannot? What is the justification for why it’s safe / allowed on 2 but not 3? It’s nice having a throttle since this is a vehicle replacement for local trips and even longer rides to friends.
ancientstephanie@reddit
A bit of history is necessary to understand that.
Class 1 and 2 come from preexisting federal definitions that a handful of states had adopted. Class 1 is no throttle, class 2 allows a throttle.
Class 3 however, actually comes from the European s-pedelec definition. It never included a throttle, because those speeds with a throttle were covered under a separate moped definition instead. The regulations for it were imported almost verbatim, because the companies backing lobbying efforts to make e-bikes legal were mostly European at the time, and that made it easier for them to import their fastest bikes - simply set the display to MPH and done. The cheap Amazon bikes hadn't really entered the picture yet.
In retrospect, now that we've seen all the mopeds and motorcycles posing as e-bikes and the lawless attitudes of those riding them, it was a good decision to exclude a throtte from class 3. By imposing a forced choice between a faster e-bike that has to be pedaled, and a slower e-bike that allows for a throttle, it reduces the appeal to those that aren't responsible enough for higher speeds, while still meeting mobility needs of people who can't pedal, and of people trying to build up the endurance to pedal longer.
Since anything observed at any previous moment to be going over 20mph can now attract additional scrutiny from cops, and finding a throttle on a bike that cops have previously observed to go faster is grounds to seize the bike, that puts pressure on riders of unlocked bikes to take it easy and stay off the radar.
In short, it started as a regulatory quirk, but became a trap for people who want to break the law and ride motorcycles around without a license. And that's why we can't have nice things. Pretty much the same reason mopeds now require some sort of license in most states - too many people acting like they were above the law ruined it for everyone.
batido6@reddit
But why can’t 3 have a throttle up to 20mph if it’s allowed on 2? We’ve decided 20mph throttle is allowed and 28mph assist is allowed so why can’t 3 be re-written to allow the best of both? If I don’t get my throttle reprogrammed to 3mph I am violating the law even though others can go 20mph on throttle, that’s silly.
ancientstephanie@reddit
Because what the law wants to create are bicycles with a little help, and not a loophole for motorcycles to be ridden without regulation simply because they happen to have vestigial pedals
Faster speeds are reserved for pedal-only e-bikes, partly because it's difficult to prove throttle use, and partly because they want the sort of person who wants to ride a motorcycle to stay far away from them.
The idea is to be a different set of capabilities that appeals to an experienced cyclist without appealing to first time riders. And that's the reason for no throttle being allowed - giving it up is the cost of admission.
Meanwhile, class 2 is there, 20 mph is more than enough speed for people to get around without a car, and it's more accessible, which helps people with physical limitations, while encouraging first timers to gravitate towards slower, safer e-bikes
county259@reddit
Increased regulation as ebikes become more prevalent is to be expected. I also expect some formal ebike groups to evolve.
TheGuyWhoSaysHiBye@reddit
Increased regulation yeah, but I was hoping they'd fully legalise higher speed e bikes with throttles on so they can reduce emissions that they seem to so care about it.
flown_south@reddit
They are legal. See CSC, Ryvid, etc. They're just regulated as mopeds and motorcycles, which is appropriate. No one's pedalling anything bigger than a Class 2/3.
You don't want a faster ebike. You want an electric motorcycle without all those pesky regulations.
TheGuyWhoSaysHiBye@reddit
Nah. I want an electric motorcycle which is financially accesible to most people and doesnt require a license just a safety course.
flown_south@reddit
Bigger motors and batteries cost money. Bigger bikes are also more expensive because the need to be of higher quality to stand up to road speeds and DOT regulations. Bicycle brakes and lighting won't cut it.
It sure sounds like an un/under-regulated motorcycle is exactly what you want.
thechoujinvirus@reddit
it feels like fearmongering. I get it, some people ruin things for everyone (modders who jailbreak the throttle to go beyond max or manufacturers who sell E-Mopeds as "ebikes")
but the truth is nobody's going to do jack without massive backlash
gggempire@reddit
idk about yall but I like my 40mph ebike and I don't plan on getting rid of it. and i sure as he'll ain't paying insurance for it