California SB 956

Under existing law, a person riding an electric bicycle is subject to the laws pertaining to the operation of a bicycle upon a highway. For these purposes, existing law defines an electric bicycle as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions, as specified. Existing law states that these provisions do not prevent local authorities, by ordinance, from regulating the registration of bicycles and the parking and operation of bicycles on pedestrian or bicycle facilities, provided such regulation is not in conflict with the Vehicle Code. Existing law prohibits a city or county, which adopts a bicycle licensing ordinance or resolution, from prohibiting the operation of an unlicensed bicycle. The bill would, until January 1, 2032, authorize the County of Orange to establish a pilot program to require the display of a special license plate on electric bicycles. The bill would authorize the county to adopt ordinances or resolutions to implement the pilot program, and would make a person operating an electric bicycle in violation of this requirement guilty of an infraction punishable by specified fines and mandatory attendance of the Department of the California Highway Patrol-approved electric bicycle training course. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also exempt electric bicycles from the prohibition described above. The bill would, by January 1, 2032, require the county to submit a report to the Legislature, as specified. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.