California AG Warns of Illegal E-Bike Sales, Urges Parent Vigilance

Bonta and local prosecutors say some e-bikes are actually mopeds or motorcycles that pose safety risks.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:26pm by

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A bold, graphic illustration of a single e-bike icon repeated in a grid, rendered in a vibrant, high-contrast pop art style with overlapping neon colors and heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the consumer alert around the rise of unsafe, illegally modified e-bikes.Colorful, stylized e-bikes highlight the growing safety concerns around illegally modified electric two-wheelers.San Francisco Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and local prosecutors have issued a consumer alert warning parents to check their children's e-bikes, as some vehicles marketed as e-bikes may actually be motorcycles or mopeds capable of high speeds. The officials cited studies showing a surge in e-bike-related injuries, especially among young riders, and urged retailers to only sell vehicles that meet state e-bike laws.

Why it matters

E-bikes have become increasingly popular, offering a greener and more accessible mode of transportation. However, the proliferation of illegally modified or mislabeled vehicles that exceed speed and power limits poses serious safety risks, especially for young and inexperienced riders. This alert aims to educate parents and consumers, as well as crack down on deceptive e-bike sales practices.

The details

According to the alert, two-wheeled vehicles that provide pedal assistance above 28 mph or throttle assistance above 20 mph, have motors with more than 750 watts of power, or lack operable pedals are not considered e-bikes under California law. Such vehicles are classified as mopeds or motorcycles, requiring additional licensing, registration, and insurance. Studies cited by officials found a surge in e-bike-related injuries, with rider injuries nearly doubling each year from 2017 to 2022 and a 300% increase in injuries among riders under 18 in San Diego between 2019 and 2023.

  • The consumer alert was issued on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • The studies cited covered the period from 2017 to 2023.

The players

Rob Bonta

The California Attorney General who issued the consumer alert warning about illegally sold e-bikes.

Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney who added that many retailers are marketing and selling two-wheeled vehicles as 'e-bikes' when they do not qualify as electric bicycles in California.

Bob Mittelstaedt

A safety advocate who visits school campuses to track the rising number of 'e-motos', or modified e-bikes that exceed legal speed and power limits.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes, what looks like an e-bike or is marketed as an e-bike is not a bike at all. We are seeing a surge of safety incidents on our sidewalks, parks, and streets.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

“Unfortunately, many retailers are marketing and selling two-wheeled vehicles as 'e-bikes' when they do not qualify as electric bicycles in California.”

— Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney

“This is like driving a motor vehicle without a driver's license and without DMV plates.”

— Bob Mittelstaedt, Safety Advocate

What’s next

Officials warned e-bike sellers to only sell or advertise vehicles that fall into the three legal e-bike classes and not to sell or advertise vehicles intended to be modified to exceed applicable limits.

The takeaway

This alert highlights the growing problem of illegally modified or mislabeled e-bikes that pose serious safety risks, especially for young riders. It underscores the need for greater consumer education and enforcement to ensure e-bikes are used responsibly and in compliance with state laws.