San Diego County Authorizes Lawsuits Against Deceptive E-Bike Marketers

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to authorize county attorneys to sue companies that deceptively market high-powered electric motorcycles as e-bikes. Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer led the effort, arguing that marketing vehicles capable of 60 mph as e-bikes violates fundamental consumer protections, as California law limits e-bikes to 28 mph.

The decision follows a sharp increase in pediatric trauma cases at Rady Children's Hospital, which rose from three in 2021 to 262 in 2025. The board's action was further prompted by the recent death of a 14-year-old boy in a crash in Pacific Beach.

Supervisor Jim Desmond cast the sole dissenting vote, stating that pursuing litigation as a first step would be jumping the gun. He advocated for a focus on education for parents and children, noting that California State Senate Bill 1167 is already pending to ban the marketing of electric motorcycles as e-bikes.