Tag Archive: california

  1. California bill aims to clearly distinguish e-bikes and e-motos

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    Source: Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, BikeMag, CalBike

    A bill recently introduced in California aims to distinctly differentiate e-bikes from high-powered electric motos, motorcycles and mopeds. SB 1167, introduced by Senator Catherine Blakespear and supported by advocacy group PeopleForBikes, aims to close vehicle code loopholes which have led to high-powered vehicles being marketed incorrectly as e-bikes.

    “Faster and more powerful electric motorcycles are being marketed as e-bikes, which is dangerous to children and adults,” said Senator Blakespear. “SB 1167 makes clear to consumers whether they are buying an e-bike, which has defined limits for power and speed, or something else.”

    The bill seeks to provide clear definitions for various electrically powered devices. The definition for “electric bicycle” (up to 750 watts of power and maximum speeds of 20 mph on throttle or 28 mph when pedal assisted) will be revised to specifically exclude any models that are faster or more powerful, as well as any device that falls within any defined motor vehicle type.

    The definition of “moped” will be applied to any two- or three-wheeled vehicle powered by an electric motor under 3,000 watts and capable of reaching 30 mph (48 km/h).

    The definition of “motor-driven cycle” will be revised to include cycles with electric motors up to 3,750 watts.

    As such, these higher-powered devices will be subject to a full package of regulations:

    • Registration and license plates required
    • M1 or M2 driver’s license to operate on public roads
    • Compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
    • Department of Transport-approved helmets mandatory for riders and passengers
    • Manufacturers and sellers are subject to motor vehicle commerce laws
    • Required disclosures in all advertising – including online listings – that these are motor vehicles, not bicycles

    The California Bicycle Coalition (Calbike) stated: “Electric bicycles are transforming mobility across California, offering an affordable, low-carbon way to get around. Research from the Mineta Transportation Institute has shown that e-bike ridership is growing rapidly across age groups and is expanding access to people who might not otherwise ride. Protecting that progress requires clear rules and honest marketing. By closing gaps that have allowed high-powered devices to be misrepresented as bicycles, SB 1167 ensures that higher-speed electric motorcycles are regulated consistently with other motor vehicles, while preserving the promise of legitimate e-bikes as a clean, accessible transportation option.”

    PeopleForBikes assisted in drafting the bill, and stated: “By creating a much needed and robust regulatory structure for electric mopeds and other electrically-powered vehicles, this legislation will close important gaps in California law that have allowed these fast, motorized products to proliferate and be used by underaged and unlicensed operators. Importantly, the bill also protects the integrity of e-bikes. By clearly separating e-motos from low-speed e-bikes, SB 1167 preserves access to affordable, safe electric bicycles as a transportation and recreation option for Californians across the state.”

  2. LEV schemes could help California achieve clean mobility ambitions

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    Source: Smartcities Dive

    The US state of California has invested billions of dollars into zero-emission transportation infrastructure projects and offered residents rebates for a range of “Clean Vehicles” – but LEVs have been missing from the mix, and could make access to truly clean transport much more equitable.

    LEVs could help bring the aims of California’s ambitious Clean Transportation Program – tackling climate change, reducing petroleum use, greater adoption of zero-emission vehicles, and improving air quality – within the reach of many more citizens. Thousands are currently priced out of incentive schemes, which have prioritised electric and hybrid cars, where even with a rebate, the purchase costs can be prohibitively high. In addition, the systematic adoption of infrastructure upgrades that prioritise active travel would enable LEVs to take a greater share of the travel landscape.

    Cost considerations

    E-bikes, e-scooters and other LEVs have much lower initial purchase costs than zero-emission cars, and lower running and maintenance costs. They also offer the additional advantages of requiring less space – both for storage, and for travel. However, few incentive schemes have been in place to enable access to LEVs for residents such as students, families and low-income workers, effectively pricing them out of a reliable transport option.

    The E-bike Incentive Project offered up to $2,000 towards purchase of e-bikes in a scheme that prioritized lower-income and disadvantaged communities. The application window is currently closed, and the first wave of vouchers were claimed within minutes, clearly indicating strong demand. Another scheme, the Driving Clean Assistance Program, offered grants and loans to eligible citizens towards purchase of zero-emission vehicles, including LEVs.

    Incentive schemes in other cities, such as Denver, have been successful in enabling access to e-bikes and cargo bikes. Those who participated in the scheme’s survey reported riding their bikes an average of 26 miles per week, replacing 3.4 round-trip vehicle trips. The scheme employed a sliding scale of voucher value, depending on the applicants’ income status; lower-income recipients who received $1,200 towards an e-bike were the most positively impacted, using their e-bikes almost 50% more than those receiving the standard $400 offered to all residents.

    Infrastructure requirements

    Investment in a statewide network of separated routes which connect neighbourhoods with schools, jobs and public transport is urged, systematically building on plans already in place in such cities as Los Angeles and San Francisco.

  3. Bird brings e-scooter service to festival city of Indio, CA

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    Bird scooters have officially launched in Indio, California.

    The exclusive pilot means that a fleet of industry-leading Bird Three scooters will help serve not only the sustainable mobility needs of the city’s nearly 100,000 residents, but of the more than one million visitors who flock to the City of Festivals every year for events such as Coachella and Stagecoach, both just having successfully taken place after the launch. 

    “We are excited to welcome Bird to the City of Indio,” said Mayor Waymond Fermon. “Whether going to the Farmers Market downtown, seeing some of the city’s new sculptures, commuting to work or school, residents and visitors now have another fun, eco-friendly way to get around.”

    Riders will be able to travel throughout Indio as well as the neighboring city of Coachella, helping reduce reliance on personal cars for short distance transportation while also potentially driving significant consumer spending at local businesses.

    Of course, like any new system of transportation, it helps to know the rules before you ride. To make this easier, Bird have put together a quick guide to their exclusive scooter pilot in Indio in their blog.

  4. ‘Universal Basic Mobility’ pilot begins in Oakland, California

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    Source: CitiesToday

    Oakland’s local Department of Transportation (OakDOT) has recently introduced a Univeral Basic Mobility Pilot, aiming to reduce dependency on cars, and remove the financial barriers limiting alternative modes of travel.

    Oakland residents can benefit from US$300 credit, valid for use with sustainable modes of transport – this includes public transit, bikeshare, and shared e-scooter options. In its first stage, 500 pre-paid debit cards were distributed to interested participants at random; if the pilot receives longer-term funding after evaluation in spring, more residents will be selected from the waiting list.

    Oakland Mayor, Libby Schaaf shared, “Oakland is a place where our drive to innovate with our public services matches with our community values, and I’m so proud that OakDOT is proving the value of that pairing once again with this pilot effort.”

    Additionally, the scheme integrates community-based organizations to provide education on alternate transportation options. In the long-term, Oakland hopes to transform the way residents think about transport, causing a modal shift and moving away from a dependency on cars.