E-Motos and rogue electric motorcycles

There is a growing recognition, throughout California and beyond, that numerous brands of throttle two-wheelers are more powerful and faster than the law allows for e-bikes.  People for Bikes (the trade association) and CalBike (the coalition of local cycling groups) refer to them as “out of class” electric vehicles, or “e-motos” or “rogue electric motorcycles inaccurately marketed as e-bikes.”

CalBike has joined E-Bike Access in calling for an enforcement crackdown.

“We call on California’s decision-makers to develop legislation to better address illegal e-motorcycles (electric motorcycles, electric mopeds, and the like) often being inaccurately marketed as e-bikes. This will require better manufacturer, retailer, and consumer education, and regulation mechanisms to restrict or limit these fast, dangerous electric vehicles on streets, paths, and trails.”

To quote a California Senator who sponsored legislation authorizing the police to impound these vehicles:

“According to data collected by the California Highway Patrol, there was nearly a four-fold increase in e-bike injuries from 2022 to 2024. The worst offenders are ‘out-of-class’ e-bikes which are capable of exceeding speed limits for their respective classes— 20 mph for class 1 and 2 or 28 mph for class 3. Currently, law enforcement lacks clear authority under the Vehicle Code to remove these illegal and unsafe vehicles—even when they pose a clear threat to public safety.”

According to the California Orthopaedic Association:

“Our member physicians are seeing an increasing number of patients with broken bones as a result of e bike crashes, particularly among minors. One recent case involved two 15-year-olds riding on one e bike, both without helmets. A car crashed into the e bike, killing the passenger rider and severely injuring the driving rider, causing severe injury to the humerus, neck and ankle as well as significant damages to the face and skin. Unfortunately, these kinds of cases are becoming increasingly common, and are more likely with the altered e bikes that are more powerful and faster.”