BETHESDA, Md. (BRAIN) — At a Consumer Product Safety Commission hearing last month, PeopleForBikes recommended ways to separate low-speed e-bikes and high-speed e-motos that have created public confusion and a law in New Jersey that affected retailers there.
PeopleForBikes General Counsel Matt Moore also spoke on behalf of the industry about the CPSC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products, while also addressing the e-moto controversy.
Moore’s recommendations:
- Use the existing federal definition of a low-speed electric bicycle. Clearly distinguish legal e-bikes from higher-powered motorized vehicles to reduce confusion among consumers, law enforcement, and policymakers.
- Establish a separate definition for e-motos. Recognize that e-motos capable of reaching speeds up to 60 mph are fundamentally different from low-speed electric bicycles.
- Establish mandatory electrical safety standards for off-road e-motos. Address regulatory gaps for e-motos that fall under CPSC jurisdiction but are not covered by existing e-bike electrical safety standards.
- Address safety risks associated with conversion kits. Avoid legitimizing products that can transform conventional bicycles into motorized vehicles exceeding their original structural design and safety capabilities.
Also, PeopleForBikes asked the CPSC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to coordinate enforcement against e-motos that elude applicable federal safety requirements.
The concern over electric bikes and how to regulate them reached a critical juncture in January when New Jersey signed a bill into law requiring license, registration, and insurance for e-bike riders to address a rising number of crashes and fatalities. The law, which became effective in June, has caused dozens of New Jersey bikes to close, according to the National Bicycle Dealers Association and a consulting group.
“E-bikes and e-motos are fundamentally different products, and federal safety regulations need to reflect that distinction,” Moore said. “When high-powered electric dirt bikes are marketed as e-bikes, it creates confusion for consumers and puts the credibility of legitimate e-bikes at risk. We need clear, enforceable standards that protect riders and hold manufacturers accountable. ”
The proposed battery rule was introduced in June 2026 and would establish safety standards for e-bikes and other electric mobility products. PeopleForBikes said it supports stronger safety standards but urged the CPSC to gather additional supporting data and adopt existing UL standards without modification.
