Last September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB-1271, which redefines and adds to several electric bicycle regulations in…
Last September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB-1271, which redefines and adds to several electric bicycle regulations in…
Ok, but they really can’t be used as motorcycles, regardless. You’re pedalling 99% of the time, and to have any respectable range your legs are providing the majority of the power.
Electric vehicles with a throttle (what the law is targeting) can absolutely be used as motorcycles. Hence why CA feels motorcycle-like vehicles need to be reclassified. What the law is targeting are functionally motorcycles/mopeds with pedals attached.
I have one of those and have thousands of miles recorded on it. It’s been my primary method of commuting to work for the past 1.5 years. For the battery to last the 40 mile round trip, my legs are the primary driver.
They don’t really work as motorcycles because the throttle cuts off at 20 mph. Short of adding more heavy batteries (thereby requiring a beefier motorcycle motor), they don’t have the range to be a motorcycle.
If your legs are the primary driver then you do not have the type of vehicle the law is targeting.