Califonia Cracking Down on Fast E-Bikes?

An optimistic reading of (d) in AB 1774 suggests that it would outlaw using a manufacturer’s built-in settings that would allow someone to “unlock” their e-bike and operate it in what some manufacturers call “off-road mode”—a setting that allows the motor to produce power without restriction.

The question with this provision is just how it will be enforced. Will police actually set up speed traps meant to snare riders who are going faster than 28 mph on their e-bikes? That seems unlikely. But without training radar guns at riders, how will they know whether an e-bike is being operated as a Class 1, 2, 3 or unrestricted e-bike?

Item (e) from AB 1774 is meant to prevent people from buying devices that allow an e-bike to operate unrestricted. Rather than combat e-bikes that come with the ability to be unlocked and ridden unrestricted, this is aimed at devices being sold that allow a user to unlock e-bike motors that weren’t intended to be unlocked, such as those from Bosch and Shimano.

How will the state enforce (e)? They don’t spell it out. Considering there are devices being sold online it is fair to ask how they intend to prevent someone from buying such a device through a legitimate online retailer.

The biggest question of all is also the most basic: Will AB 1774 make a difference?