184 incidents in 2018. 3,429 by 2023. That 18.6-fold jump in reported e-bike accidents, according to data from the American College of Surgeons, is the number driving California lawmakers toward a solution that sounds more like something you’d expect for a motorcycle than a bicycle.
From Speed Limits to License Plates
California already passed SB-1271 in 2025, capping motorized assistance on Class I e-bikes at 20 mph and setting additional operating rules — relevant given that many entry-level e-bikes on the market already top out around 22 mph, putting them right at that threshold. The new proposal, the E-Bike Accountability Act, takes a different approach entirely: instead of limiting performance, it targets traceability. Class II and Class III e-bikes would need to be registered with the California DMV, display state-issued plates similar to those required for motorcycles and cars, and riders would need to carry proof of ownership matching the bike’s serial number.
Why Lawmakers Are Focused on Identification, Not Bans
The logic behind the shift is straightforward: without registration or visible identification, law enforcement has struggled to hold riders accountable after a crash, especially when the rider leaves the scene. Tying a registration record and serial number to a specific owner gives officers a mechanism to connect a rider to a specific bike during an investigation — the same basic function license plates serve for cars, just extended to a defined class of electric bicycles without reclassifying them as full motor vehicles.
What’s Actually Driving the Injuries
Trauma teams in parts of California report treating double the e-bike and e-scooter-related injuries compared to the previous year, with doctors describing a range of trauma tied specifically to higher-speed impacts and limited protective gear. Speed is the common thread: while most consumer e-bikes comply with federal limits of 750 watts and operable pedals, faster configurations exist, with some models exceeding 30 mph. Aftermarket conversion kits, widely available online, can push output as high as 5,000 watts and speeds up to 45 mph — numbers that dramatically increase both closing speed and impact force in a collision.
The Enforcement Gap Modified Bikes Create
Modified bikes are a particular headache for investigators because they often look identical to compliant models from the outside, making it difficult to identify an illegally powerful bike until after an incident occurs. By tying registration and serial numbers to individual owners, the bill’s backers argue riders operating outside legal power limits could face penalties linked directly to their registered vehicle — closing a gap that currently makes enforcement almost entirely reactive.
Where This Leaves the Broader E-Bike Market
Mainstream e-bikes still offer solid performance within legal limits — 750-watt motors, ranges near 65 miles per charge, and top speeds around 28 mph are common specs for compliant models. That segment’s rapid growth is precisely what’s outpaced existing regulatory frameworks, and the E-Bike Accountability Act is still just a proposal, not enacted law. If it passes, Class II and Class III riders would need to complete DMV registration and comply with plate requirements, giving enforcement agencies database access for investigations — a meaningful shift in how the state treats higher-performance e-bikes administratively, even as lawmakers stop short of treating them as full motor vehicles.