CaliforniaElectric bicycles made, sold, or offered for sale from 2029 need lights
Starting January 1, 2029, electric bicycles made, sold, or offered for sale in California must have front and rear lights; class 2 bikes also need speedometers.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2029, electric bicycles made, sold, or offered for sale must have front and rear lights. Class 2 models must also have speedometers.
Sellers and distributors must give buyers written details about each electric bicycle’s class, speed, motor power, and rider rules at or before sale. They must also warn buyers against illegal speed changes.
Local governments may set 15 or 20 mph limits on bike paths and shared trails, or 10 mph in limited areas with many walkers or poor sight lines. They must post signs; limits set before January 1, 2027, remain.
The signed law sets a default 10 mph speed limit on sidewalks where traffic rules apply. A changed limit needs signs, and a conviction adds no point to a driver’s record.
Argument forRequired front and rear lights could make electric bicycle riders easier for others to see while their bikes are moving.
Argument againstA posted 10 mph trail limit could slow riders even at times when few walkers are present.
More detail
Electric bicycles must have front and rear lights, and class 2 models must also have speedometers. The light rule covers all electric bicycles. The speedometer rule covers only class 2 models. While the bike is moving, its white front light must shine ahead and be visible from 300 feet ahead and from the sides. Its red rear light must shine behind and be visible from 500 feet behind and from the sides. Both rules apply to bikes made, sold, or offered for sale on or after January 1, 2029.
Sellers and distributors must give buyers written information and a warning. The rule covers each electric bicycle sale by a seller or distributor. The information must cover the bike’s class, top speed, motor power, and age and helmet rules. Sellers must also provide a summary of California’s electric bicycle laws, a safety training website, and a recommendation that riders under 16 stay at or below 15 mph. They must warn against illegal speed changes. Violations can bring fines. They must give buyers the information at or before the sale.
Local governments may set speed limits on bike paths and shared trails. The rule covers bicycle paths and trails shared by different users. They may set limits of 15 or 20 mph. A 10 mph limit is allowed only in limited areas with many pedestrians or poor sight lines. Signs must show the limit within 400 feet of both ends of the restricted area. Speed limits established before January 1, 2027, stay in effect.
The signed law sets a default 10 mph speed limit on sidewalks. The limit applies to sidewalk travel covered by California’s traffic rules. A changed limit applies only after signs give notice. A conviction for violating the 10 mph sidewalk limit adds no point to a driver’s record.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 842, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 25Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 19Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6253.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 2346 Wilson Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 17In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2346 Wilson et al. By Weber Pierson. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 17Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 5497.).Passed Senate
- Aug 4Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 3From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Jun 24Referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 24Withdrawn from committee.Major
- Jun 24From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Jun 23
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 18From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Major
- Jun 15From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Major
- Jun 10Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and JUD.Minor
- May 28In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- May 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 5458.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 2346 Wilson Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 21
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 6). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Apr 6Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 26From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 9Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and JUD.Minor
- Feb 20From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
- Feb 19Read first time. To print.Introduced
TransportationPublic SafetyConsumer Protection