California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Two E-Bike Safety Bills (AB 544 and AB 545) to Enhance Visibility and Prevent Illegal Speed Unlocking
Recently,California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two electric bicycle safety bills—AB 544 and AB 545—aimed at improving the safety of the rapidly growing alternative transportation mode through upgraded technical standards and digital control measures.
Drafted by Assembly member Laurie Davies,the legislation addresses increasing concerns about the visibility of e-bikes and the issue of illegal speed modifications.
New Nighttime Reflector Requirement
Bill AB 544:
The first bill,AB 544,requires electric bicycles to be equipped with a red reflector or flashing red light at the rear when ridden in the dark.The reflected light must be visible from a distance of at least 500 feet (approximately 152 meters) when illuminated by car headlights.
While the U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) previously mandated that bicycles be fitted with reflectors,California's new legislation sets a clear visibility standard at the state level to bridge the safety gap between electric bikes and motor vehicles.Unlike traditional vehicles,which come with active lighting systems like headlights and brake lights,electric bikes have relied on passive reflectors—a standard increasingly inadequate for complex road environments.
Technology Regulation:Banning Digital Speed Unlocking
Bill AB 545:
Described by the Orange County Register as a“technical cleanup bill,”AB 545 focuses on preventing illegal digital speed modifications of electric bikes.
Under California's current classification system:
Class 1 (pedal-assist only) and
Class 2 (throttle and pedal-assist)
are limited to 20 mph (32 km/h),while
Class 3 (high-speed pedal-assist)
is capped at 28 mph (45 km/h).
A law passed last year already made it illegal to tamper with an e-bike or to sell devices that circumvent these speed limits.The new bill goes further by adding smartphone apps to the list of banned tools—some third-party apps have allowed users to digitally override speed and power restrictions,becoming a new channel for illegal modifications.California lawmakers made it clear:product innovation should not come at the cost of public safety.
Balancing Innovation and Safety
The passing of these two bills reflects a core tension in the e-bike industry:the balance between technological advancement and public safety.In California,the use of electric bicycles continues to rise.In response,lawmakers are moving quickly to ensure that rider safety and public trust grow in tandem with innovation.
While regulating e-bike safety is essential,data suggests that despite rising e-bike ownership and accidents,over 90%of fatal cyclist incidents in the state involve motor vehicles.For riders,the greatest danger often lies not with the bike itself,but with surrounding traffic.Therefore,creating safer cycling infrastructure and enhancing enforcement against reckless driving—such as speeding and unsafe overtaking—are also critical steps.
Source:Electrek