10/16/2026
Not every electric bike is legally an e-bike under California law.
California law sets specific requirements for what qualifies as an electric bicycle, including fully operable pedals and an electric motor that does not exceed 750 watts. The law also distinguishes between different e-bike classes and addresses modifications that can cause a vehicle to fall outside the statutory definition.
In a serious injury case, getting the classification right can affect how the incident is analyzed.
If an injury involves an e-bike or other electric vehicle, let’s look at the facts before making assumptions.