Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1167, a law that creates a clear legal distinction between electric bicycles and the more powerful electric motorcycles, often called e-motos, that are frequently sold alongside them. Beginning January 1, 2027, all advertising by sellers must state that e-motos are motor vehicles requiring registration, an M1 or M2 motorcycle license, and insurance, as reported by Streetsblog California and Bicycle Retailer. E-bikes remain capped at 750 watts, preserving their classification as bicycles rather than motor vehicles.
The new law arrives as motorcycle crashes continue to be a serious concern in East County. In 2023, El Cajon recorded 34 motorcyclists killed or injured, ranking ninth worst among 62 similarly sized California cities, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. That statistic underscores the stakes involved when high-speed two-wheeled vehicles share the road with cars and trucks.
For many e-moto owners, the law exposes a troubling gap: they believe they purchased a bicycle and never obtain the license, registration, or insurance that the law already requires. That misunderstanding can complicate an injury claim in several ways. When an uninsured e-moto rider causes a crash, the injured person may need to turn to their own uninsured motorist coverage, which applies when the at-fault motor vehicle carries no liability insurance. Conversely, when the e-moto rider is the one injured, many auto policies exclude uninsured motorist coverage for injuries on a vehicle the policyholder owns but did not insure, potentially leaving riders without a backup source of recovery. And when fault is disputed, riding without a motorcycle license does not by itself make a rider responsible for a crash, but insurers often raise it to argue the rider shares the blame.
Barry P. Goldberg, founder of Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation, emphasized the practical confusion the law aims to address. "Most families who buy these machines have no idea they've bought a motorcycle," Goldberg said. "The new disclosures should help. Until they take effect, anyone who rides one or shares the road with one should confirm their auto policy carries uninsured motorist coverage, because that's often what pays after an e-moto crash." The firm's motorcycle accident lawyer in El Cajon, CA represents riders, drivers, and families of those killed in these collisions.
The implications extend beyond disclosure requirements. By formally labeling e-motos as motor vehicles, the law may influence how insurers, courts, and law enforcement treat crashes involving these machines. It could also prompt more riders to obtain proper licensing and insurance, reducing the number of uninsured motorists on the road. Until the law takes effect in 2027, however, the burden falls on riders and drivers to understand their coverage and the legal status of the vehicles they operate. As e-moto sales continue to rise, the distinction between a bicycle and a motorcycle will carry significant consequences for anyone involved in a collision.
