Los Angeles City Council Orders E-Bike Regulation Recommendations

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion on Tuesday ordering city staff to provide recommendations within 90 days for regulating e-bikes, e-motos, and electric mopeds. The initiative responds to an increase in vehicle collisions and trauma cases, specifically involving juvenile riders using devices that are not street legal.

Proposed regulations under consideration include banning the sale of non-compliant devices and prohibiting the conversion of e-bikes to higher classes. The council is also exploring requirements for educational training for riders under 18 or those without licenses, as well as safety rules for battery storage and charging.

To track the impact of these devices, the council directed the Los Angeles Police Commission to publish annual data on collisions and injuries. This local action aligns with nine pending pieces of state legislation and follows the 2022 OmniBike Bill, which granted local authorities the power to restrict electric bicycles on specific trails and paths.