PeopleForBikes tracked more than 800 bills nationwide, making 2025 the busiest year for bike-related legislation in history. Through targeted legal, lobbying, and grassroots efforts, PeopleForBikes protected the bike industry from harmful proposals that would have disrupted the market and added costly new burdens to bike businesses.
Every year, PeopleForBikes saves the industry tens of millions of dollars by stopping legislation that threatens its collective success. In 2025 alone, defeated bills would have:
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Banned electric bicycles from trail systems and public lands
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Mandated insurance, registration, or licensing for electric bicycle riders
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Imposed expensive, unnecessary battery labeling and certification rules
At the same time, PeopleForBikes championed legislation that opened more than 4,000 miles of trails to electric mountain bikes (eMTBs), unlocked hundreds of millions in state funding for trail development, and expanded e-bike incentive programs to encourage new riders and new sales.
The examples below show how PeopleForBikes worked to:
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Prevent costly market disruptions
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Protect millions in potential lost revenue
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Create new opportunities for future growth
Estimated Business Impact:
Problematic Bills PeopleForBikes Amended or Stopped:
Illinois (IL S2247) Battery Certification Mandate
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Original Issue: Would have required UL 2849 certification by an NRTL
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PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Aligned bill with model legislation in New York and California
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Avoided Costs: $400–$900 per battery, $2,000–$5,000+ per e-bike
California (CA SB455) Class 3 E-Bike Restrictions
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Original Issue: Would have required sellers to change labeling and notify customers that Class 3 throttle bikes were illegal
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PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Bill was tabled
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Avoided Costs: Millions in legal exposure and supply chain changes
Florida (FL HB291, SB800) Battery Water-Resistance and Portability Requirements
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Original Issues: Would have required IPX7 battery testing and mandated removable batteries
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PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Blocked both measures
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Avoided Costs: $400–$900 per battery; $2,000–$5,000+ per non-removable e-bike
New York (A4084/S2527, A157, S4810, S1464) Licensing, Registration, Packaging, and Storage Requirements
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Original Issues: The range of bills would have increased costs and compliance burdens
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PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Prevented new registration/licensing rules and complex packaging laws
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Avoided Costs: Millions in lost sales, packaging redesign costs, and retailer burden
Hawaii (HB435, HB515) Registration and Labeling Rules
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Original Issues: Permanent fees, stricter classification, and mandatory re-labeling
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PeopleForBikes’ Impact: Prevented new registration and licensing rules that would have compromised sales and market share — worked to promote three-class adoption and e-moto regulation instead
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Avoided Costs: Compliance burdens would discourage first-time buyers and strain retailers
Positive Bills PeopleForBikes Supported:
California (CA SB586) E-Moto Definitions
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PeopleForBikes’ Role: Co-led efforts with the Motorcycle Industry Council and other advocacy groups
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Impact: First state law definition on “e-moto” requires registration of off-road electric dirt bikes, distinguishes e-moto products, and preserves access for electric bicycles on roads, paths, and trails
Colorado (CO HB25-1197) Multi-Mode Product Clarity
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PeopleForBikes’ Role: Helped shape labeling language to follow model laws in Utah and Minnesota
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Impact: Protects the integrity of e-bike classifications and helps legitimize new technologies
PeopleForBikes’ goal is to promote bipartisan legislation that grows bicycling and the bike industry across the U.S. Often working behind the scenes because this is the most effective way to influence legislators. The PeopleForBikes team spends months each year working directly with industry members as well as federal and state legislators to introduce positive bills and amend bad ones.
When problems do arise, PeopleForBikes is well-positioned to represent the industry because it maintains ongoing engagement with its committee members as legislation is being developed. Working alongside dozens of industry leaders who volunteer on its committees, PeopleForBikes helps craft legislation and develop solutions that serve the interests of the majority of its members.
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is a national bicycle advocacy nonprofit and the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association representing more than 340 bicycle industry supplier members and nearly 1.4 million individual supporters. Through our three areas of influence — infrastructure, policy, and participation — we accelerate the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike, advance pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation; and reduce barriers to welcome more people to the joys of riding a bike. Our goal: become the best place in the world to ride a bike. Join us at peopleforbikes.org and donate to support our w
