New e-bike bill in congress could bring long-awaited federal regulation

A new bipartisan bill introduced in Congress could finally establish a long-missing federal framework for regulating electric bikes and similar micromobility devices in the US.

Dubbed the Safe Standards for Personal E-Bike and E-Moto Device Specifications Act, or the Safe SPEEDS Act, the legislation was introduced by Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Dave Min (D-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). The bill aims to give the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) the authority to define and regulate e-bikes and other electric micromobility devices at a national level. Until now, states have largely been left to develop their own specific e-bike regulations, with most landing on the popular three-class system.

Despite the rapid rise of e-bikes across the US, federal standards have remained largely unchanged since 2002, when they were considered to be consumer products and not motor vehicles. Lawmakers say that gap in new legislation has contributed to a confusing and often inconsistent market, where consumers may not fully understand what they’re buying. It’s also meant that states have been increasingly creating new and often divisive new e-bike legislation on their own.

The proposed bill would direct the CPSC to create clear classifications for e-bikes, e-motos (larger electric two-wheelers similar to dirt bikes), and similar devices, along with standardized labeling requirements and minimum age recommendations. It would also require the agency to study and publish data on crashes, injuries, and fatalities – something that is currently fragmented and inconsistent across jurisdictions.

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Supporters argue that better data and clearer definitions are key to addressing rising safety concerns. E-bike injuries reportedly doubled each year between 2017 and 2022, with children and teenagers experiencing some of the highest rates of serious crashes.

The bill also includes funding for local governments, law enforcement, and emergency services to improve how incidents are reported and tracked. That could help create a more complete picture of how e-bnikes are being used – and misused – on streets, sidewalks, and trails.

Importantly, the legislation has drawn support from a wide range of industry and safety groups, including PeopleForBikes, the League of American Bicyclists, the National Bicycle Dealers Association, and Consumer Reports. Many of those groups have long pushed for clearer federal definitions, particularly as higher-speed electric motorcycles and dirt bikes are increasingly marketed alongside traditional e-bikes.

“PeopleForBikes is pleased to enthusiastically endorse the Safe SPEEDS Act, which will direct the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to gather and analyze data about incidents involving the many e-mobility products under its jurisdiction,” explained Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “The bill also directs the CPSC to adopt clear classification, age guidelines and labeling requirements for these devices, including consideration of the three recognized classes of low-speed electric bicycles. This legislation marks an important step towards understanding and mitigating the hazards posed by e-motos: higher speed electric motorized vehicles that are sold as electric dirt bikes, but often end up being inappropriately used on public roads by young riders.”

Still, the bill walks a careful line. While it aims to improve safety and oversight, it also acknowledges the growing role of e-bikes as an affordable and accessible transportation option.

If passed, the Safe SPEEDS Act could mark a major shift in how e-bikes are regulated in the US – moving from a patchwork of state and local rules toward a more unified national standard.