Amended IN Assembly April 10, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 18, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 965Introduced by Assembly Member DixonFebruary 20, 2025An act to add and repeal Section 21214.9 of 21212.5 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 965, as amended, Dixon. Vehicles: electric bicycles.Existing law defines an electric bicycle and classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions. Under existing law, a class 1 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a motor that, among other things, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a class 2 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a class 3 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a speedometer and a motor that, in pertinent part, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. Existing law prohibits a person under 16 years of age from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. A violation of this provision is punishable as an infraction.This bill, the Orange County Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program, would, until January 1, 2030, authorize a local authority within the County of Orange, or the County of Orange in unincorporated areas, to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle or require a person who does not have a valid drivers license and who is operating an electric bicycle to complete a safety training course, as specified. For the first 60 days following the adoption of an ordinance or resolution for the specified purposes, the bill would make a violation of the ordinance or resolution punishable by a warning notice. After 60 days, the bill would make a violation of the ordinance or resolution an infraction punishable by a fine of $25, except as specified. This bill would make a parent or legal guardian with control or custody of an unemancipated minor who violates an ordinance or resolution adopted for those purposes jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed. The bill would, if an ordinance or resolution is adopted, require the county to, by January 1, 2029, submit a report to the Legislature that includes, among other things, the total number of warnings or citations issued, property seized, and arrests made. The bill would require a local authority or county to administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of the ordinance or resolution, as specified.This bill would prohibit a person from selling a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age and would make a violation of that prohibition an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. By creating a new infraction, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NOYES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 21212.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:21212.5. (a) A person shall not sell a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age.(b) A violation of this section is an infraction and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.SECTION 1.Section 21214.9 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:21214.9.(a)This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Orange County Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program.(b)A local authority within the County of Orange, or the County of Orange in unincorporated areas, may, by ordinance or resolution, do the following:(1)Prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle.(2)Require a person who does not possess a valid drivers license and is operating an electric bicycle to complete an electric bicycle safety training course certified by the League of American Bicyclists, or an equivalent organization, or the applicable safety and training program developed pursuant to Section 894 of the Streets and Highways Code.(c)(1)A violation of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section shall be punishable as follows:(A)For the first 60 days after the prohibition comes into effect, a warning notice.(B)After the first 60 days, a violation of the ordinance or resolution shall be an infraction punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25).(2)A record of the action shall not be transmitted to the court and a fee shall not be imposed upon a citation for this infraction if the parent or legal guardian of the person who violated an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) delivers proof to the issuing agency within 120 days after the citation was issued that the person has completed an electric bicycle safety and training program pursuant to Section 894 of the Streets and Highways Code.(3)If an unemancipated minor violates an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, a parent or legal guardian with control or custody of the minor shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of a fine imposed pursuant to this subdivision.(d)(1)If an ordinance or resolution is adopted pursuant to this section, the county shall, by January 1, 2029, submit a report to the Legislature that includes all of the following:(A)The total number of warnings or citations issued, property seized, and arrests made.(B)The number of times a person opted to complete, and did complete, the training course in lieu of paying the fine.(C)The number of times that a person under 12 years of age was operating an electric bicycle and was involved in a crash that resulted in a permanent, serious injury, as defined in Section 20001, or a fatality in the six months prior to the adoption of the ordinance or resolution, the cause of the crash, and the class of the electric bicycle that was being operated at the time of the crash.(D)The number of times that a person under 12 years of age was operating an electric bicycle and was involved in a crash that resulted in a permanent, serious injury, as defined in Section 20001, or a fatality after the adoption of the ordinance or resolution, the cause of the crash, and the class of the electric bicycle that was being operated at the time of the crash.(2)A report submitted pursuant to this section shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e)A local authority shall administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, which shall include public announcements in major media outlets and press releases.(f)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
Amended IN Assembly April 10, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 18, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 965Introduced by Assembly Member DixonFebruary 20, 2025An act to add and repeal Section 21214.9 of 21212.5 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 965, as amended, Dixon. Vehicles: electric bicycles.Existing law defines an electric bicycle and classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions. Under existing law, a class 1 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a motor that, among other things, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a class 2 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a class 3 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a speedometer and a motor that, in pertinent part, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. Existing law prohibits a person under 16 years of age from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. A violation of this provision is punishable as an infraction.This bill, the Orange County Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program, would, until January 1, 2030, authorize a local authority within the County of Orange, or the County of Orange in unincorporated areas, to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle or require a person who does not have a valid drivers license and who is operating an electric bicycle to complete a safety training course, as specified. For the first 60 days following the adoption of an ordinance or resolution for the specified purposes, the bill would make a violation of the ordinance or resolution punishable by a warning notice. After 60 days, the bill would make a violation of the ordinance or resolution an infraction punishable by a fine of $25, except as specified. This bill would make a parent or legal guardian with control or custody of an unemancipated minor who violates an ordinance or resolution adopted for those purposes jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed. The bill would, if an ordinance or resolution is adopted, require the county to, by January 1, 2029, submit a report to the Legislature that includes, among other things, the total number of warnings or citations issued, property seized, and arrests made. The bill would require a local authority or county to administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of the ordinance or resolution, as specified.This bill would prohibit a person from selling a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age and would make a violation of that prohibition an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. By creating a new infraction, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NOYES
Amended IN Assembly April 10, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 18, 2025
Amended IN Assembly April 10, 2025
Amended IN Assembly March 18, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 965
Introduced by Assembly Member DixonFebruary 20, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Dixon
February 20, 2025
An act to add and repeal Section 21214.9 of 21212.5 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 965, as amended, Dixon. Vehicles: electric bicycles.
Existing law defines an electric bicycle and classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions. Under existing law, a class 1 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a motor that, among other things, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a class 2 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a class 3 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a speedometer and a motor that, in pertinent part, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. Existing law prohibits a person under 16 years of age from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. A violation of this provision is punishable as an infraction.This bill, the Orange County Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program, would, until January 1, 2030, authorize a local authority within the County of Orange, or the County of Orange in unincorporated areas, to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle or require a person who does not have a valid drivers license and who is operating an electric bicycle to complete a safety training course, as specified. For the first 60 days following the adoption of an ordinance or resolution for the specified purposes, the bill would make a violation of the ordinance or resolution punishable by a warning notice. After 60 days, the bill would make a violation of the ordinance or resolution an infraction punishable by a fine of $25, except as specified. This bill would make a parent or legal guardian with control or custody of an unemancipated minor who violates an ordinance or resolution adopted for those purposes jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed. The bill would, if an ordinance or resolution is adopted, require the county to, by January 1, 2029, submit a report to the Legislature that includes, among other things, the total number of warnings or citations issued, property seized, and arrests made. The bill would require a local authority or county to administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of the ordinance or resolution, as specified.This bill would prohibit a person from selling a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age and would make a violation of that prohibition an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. By creating a new infraction, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law defines an electric bicycle and classifies electric bicycles into 3 classes with different restrictions. Under existing law, a class 1 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a motor that, among other things, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a class 2 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. Under existing law, a class 3 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with a speedometer and a motor that, in pertinent part, provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. Existing law prohibits a person under 16 years of age from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. A violation of this provision is punishable as an infraction.
This bill, the Orange County Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program, would, until January 1, 2030, authorize a local authority within the County of Orange, or the County of Orange in unincorporated areas, to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle or require a person who does not have a valid drivers license and who is operating an electric bicycle to complete a safety training course, as specified. For the first 60 days following the adoption of an ordinance or resolution for the specified purposes, the bill would make a violation of the ordinance or resolution punishable by a warning notice. After 60 days, the bill would make a violation of the ordinance or resolution an infraction punishable by a fine of $25, except as specified. This bill would make a parent or legal guardian with control or custody of an unemancipated minor who violates an ordinance or resolution adopted for those purposes jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed. The bill would, if an ordinance or resolution is adopted, require the county to, by January 1, 2029, submit a report to the Legislature that includes, among other things, the total number of warnings or citations issued, property seized, and arrests made. The bill would require a local authority or county to administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of the ordinance or resolution, as specified.
This bill would prohibit a person from selling a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age and would make a violation of that prohibition an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. By creating a new infraction, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 21212.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:21212.5. (a) A person shall not sell a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age.(b) A violation of this section is an infraction and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.SECTION 1.Section 21214.9 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:21214.9.(a)This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Orange County Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program.(b)A local authority within the County of Orange, or the County of Orange in unincorporated areas, may, by ordinance or resolution, do the following:(1)Prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle.(2)Require a person who does not possess a valid drivers license and is operating an electric bicycle to complete an electric bicycle safety training course certified by the League of American Bicyclists, or an equivalent organization, or the applicable safety and training program developed pursuant to Section 894 of the Streets and Highways Code.(c)(1)A violation of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section shall be punishable as follows:(A)For the first 60 days after the prohibition comes into effect, a warning notice.(B)After the first 60 days, a violation of the ordinance or resolution shall be an infraction punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25).(2)A record of the action shall not be transmitted to the court and a fee shall not be imposed upon a citation for this infraction if the parent or legal guardian of the person who violated an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) delivers proof to the issuing agency within 120 days after the citation was issued that the person has completed an electric bicycle safety and training program pursuant to Section 894 of the Streets and Highways Code.(3)If an unemancipated minor violates an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, a parent or legal guardian with control or custody of the minor shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of a fine imposed pursuant to this subdivision.(d)(1)If an ordinance or resolution is adopted pursuant to this section, the county shall, by January 1, 2029, submit a report to the Legislature that includes all of the following:(A)The total number of warnings or citations issued, property seized, and arrests made.(B)The number of times a person opted to complete, and did complete, the training course in lieu of paying the fine.(C)The number of times that a person under 12 years of age was operating an electric bicycle and was involved in a crash that resulted in a permanent, serious injury, as defined in Section 20001, or a fatality in the six months prior to the adoption of the ordinance or resolution, the cause of the crash, and the class of the electric bicycle that was being operated at the time of the crash.(D)The number of times that a person under 12 years of age was operating an electric bicycle and was involved in a crash that resulted in a permanent, serious injury, as defined in Section 20001, or a fatality after the adoption of the ordinance or resolution, the cause of the crash, and the class of the electric bicycle that was being operated at the time of the crash.(2)A report submitted pursuant to this section shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e)A local authority shall administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, which shall include public announcements in major media outlets and press releases.(f)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 21212.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:21212.5. (a) A person shall not sell a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age.(b) A violation of this section is an infraction and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
SECTION 1. Section 21212.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
21212.5. (a) A person shall not sell a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age.(b) A violation of this section is an infraction and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
21212.5. (a) A person shall not sell a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age.(b) A violation of this section is an infraction and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
21212.5. (a) A person shall not sell a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age.(b) A violation of this section is an infraction and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
21212.5. (a) A person shall not sell a new electric bicycle to a person under 16 years of age.
(b) A violation of this section is an infraction and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
### SEC. 2.
(a)This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Orange County Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program.
(b)A local authority within the County of Orange, or the County of Orange in unincorporated areas, may, by ordinance or resolution, do the following:
(1)Prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or 2 electric bicycle.
(2)Require a person who does not possess a valid drivers license and is operating an electric bicycle to complete an electric bicycle safety training course certified by the League of American Bicyclists, or an equivalent organization, or the applicable safety and training program developed pursuant to Section 894 of the Streets and Highways Code.
(c)(1)A violation of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section shall be punishable as follows:
(A)For the first 60 days after the prohibition comes into effect, a warning notice.
(B)After the first 60 days, a violation of the ordinance or resolution shall be an infraction punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25).
(2)A record of the action shall not be transmitted to the court and a fee shall not be imposed upon a citation for this infraction if the parent or legal guardian of the person who violated an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) delivers proof to the issuing agency within 120 days after the citation was issued that the person has completed an electric bicycle safety and training program pursuant to Section 894 of the Streets and Highways Code.
(3)If an unemancipated minor violates an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, a parent or legal guardian with control or custody of the minor shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of a fine imposed pursuant to this subdivision.
(d)(1)If an ordinance or resolution is adopted pursuant to this section, the county shall, by January 1, 2029, submit a report to the Legislature that includes all of the following:
(A)The total number of warnings or citations issued, property seized, and arrests made.
(B)The number of times a person opted to complete, and did complete, the training course in lieu of paying the fine.
(C)The number of times that a person under 12 years of age was operating an electric bicycle and was involved in a crash that resulted in a permanent, serious injury, as defined in Section 20001, or a fatality in the six months prior to the adoption of the ordinance or resolution, the cause of the crash, and the class of the electric bicycle that was being operated at the time of the crash.
(D)The number of times that a person under 12 years of age was operating an electric bicycle and was involved in a crash that resulted in a permanent, serious injury, as defined in Section 20001, or a fatality after the adoption of the ordinance or resolution, the cause of the crash, and the class of the electric bicycle that was being operated at the time of the crash.
(2)A report submitted pursuant to this section shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(e)A local authority shall administer a public information campaign for at least 30 calendar days prior to the enactment of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section, which shall include public announcements in major media outlets and press releases.
(f)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.