New Federal E-Bike Legislation March 2026

[J.R.]

The Safe SPEEDS Act — Federal E‑Bike Legislation​

The Safe SPEEDS Act (Safe Standards for Personal E‑Bike and E‑Moto Device Specifications Act) is a bipartisan bill introduced in March 2026 by Reps. Jared Huffman (D‑CA), Dave Min (D‑CA), Mike Lawler (R‑NY), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R‑PA) to address long‑standing safety and regulatory gaps in the U.S. e‑bike and e‑moto market.

Purpose and Background​

Currently, e‑bike regulation is a patchwork of 50 state laws, with no federal standards since 2002. This has led to confusion, inconsistent safety requirements, and a rise in higher‑speed “e‑motos” that can exceed 20–50 mph, posing risks to pedestrians, motorists, and children. Injuries from e‑bikes have doubled annually from 2017 to 2022, with children and teens most affected.

Key Provisions​

The bill would:

• Standardize classifications at the federal level, formalizing the Class 1 (pedal‑assist ≤ 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle ≤ 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal‑assist ≤ 28 mph) system nationwide.
• Set federal speed limits for each class, allowing states to impose stricter limits in shared‑path areas.
• Establish minimum safety standards for manufacturing, including battery safety, braking performance, and labeling.
• Require clear labeling of power, speed, and reasonable age recommendations.
• Prohibit sale of devices that can be easily modified to exceed their rated speed or power.
• Direct the CPSC to study and publish crash, injury, and fatality data, improving local incident reporting.
• Provide funding to local governments, law enforcement, and emergency services to enhance safety programs.

Support and Concerns​

The bill has been endorsed by groups such as Consumer Reports, PeopleForBikes, the League of American Bicyclists, and the National Bicycle Dealers Association. Supporters argue it will:

• Reduce consumer confusion and prevent unsafe modifications.
• Improve data for injury prevention.
• Support local safety initiatives.

Critics note that it may limit consumer choice and require industry compliance with stricter federal rules.

Next Steps​

The Safe SPEEDS Act is still in the legislative process. If passed, it would give the CPSC authority to implement these standards, potentially reshaping how e‑bikes and e‑motos are sold, used, and regulated across the U.S.

In short: The Safe SPEEDS Act is a major push for a unified, safety‑focused federal framework for e‑bikes and e‑motos, aiming to standardize rules, protect riders, and close a decades‑long regulatory gap.

Federal legislation addresses e-moto issue

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — A bi-partisan group in Congress has introduced the Safe SPEEDS Act, which would create federal standards for low-speed electric bikes and e-motos. PeopleForBikes says the bill is "a significant step forward in addressing the increased use of currently unregulated products...

www.bicycleretailer.com

The Safe SPEEDS Act: What New Federal E-Bike Regulations Could Mean for Every Cyclist

If you own an e-bike or are thinking about buying one, there is legislation moving through the United States Congress right now that could significantly affect how you ride, where you ride, and what you

biketips.com

A bipartisan bill with industry, safety advocates and consumer group support. If you support it, or don't support it let them know. Will they read every email? Maybe not, but they will count the for and against. In my opinion this will set a national standard version of the 3-class system. The CPSC will be tasked to enforce it at the manufacturing/import/retail level. One of the major objectives is a clear dividing line between ebikes and emotos/motorbikes. The last federal legislation regarding electric bikes was enacted 24 years ago.

 

[Chargeride]

If they want a clear distinction then they need to clamp down on the media deliberately promoting confusion for journalistic agendas

 

[stompandgo]

If they want a clear distinction then they need to clamp down on the media deliberately promoting confusion for journalistic agendas

But, that's their raison d'etre.

 

[Chazmo]

Well, it’s certainly time for an update. Like many things, though, I wonder if federal legislation will have teeth at the state level.

Anyway, I hope the rules become CLEAR and ENFORCEABLE as those are my criteria. I think questions of technology (like power, etc.) should be avoided, but I know they’ll complicate things. The rules should be speed based. Just my opinion.

 

[indianajo]

Yes. I have no trouble with speed limits, but state wattage limits have prohibited me from buying replacement motors that will carry me+groceries+tools+water up hills. I've burnt up 3 750 w motors on the first or second trip. I ran a 2017 ebikeling 1300 w geared motor for 4000 miles until the plastic gears wore out. I ran a 2020 1000 w Cutler Mac 12T motor 6000 miles until the one way clutch wore out. I have replaced the ebike with a gasoline pickup truck. I went without a car for 16 years. Now getting enough cardio exercise is BORING!!!

 

[jabberwocky]

Honestly not nearly as bad as it could be, given lawmakers general lack of knowledge about technical details. Some sort of legal backlash has been inevitable for a while now (at least IMO) given the proliferation of emotos. For the most part its just nationalizing the 3 class system that is the current standard in a lot of states (including mine) so it doesn't look to change much to people in those states. The provision that has the most potential to upend the market is point 4 in the draft bill, which prohibits the sale of any ebike that can be configured to increase max speed or motor power beyond the federal definition, at least if its labeled or marketed as an ebike. Will be interesting to see how the emoto sellers work around that if it comes into effect.

 

[rob feature]

Yay, more legislation. This should make micromobility more accessible in an era of unaffordable everything </sarcasm>. Laws are already in place to prevent a$$hat behavior pretty much everywhere. Maybe enforce those.

I can go out and buy a car that will do over 200 MPH, 0-60 in <2 seconds, with zero special license, training, or other restrictions. All I have to do is be able to pay the man.

All in for battery standards though. That needs help.

 

[jabberwocky]

I can go out and buy a car that will do over 200 MPH, 0-60 in <2 seconds, with zero special license, training, or other restrictions. All I have to do is be able to pay the man.

The good news is you can also go out and buy a motorcycle if you want unlimited power and speed. The requirements are basically the same as cars.

 

[rob feature]

The good news is you can also go out and buy a motorcycle if you want unlimited power and speed. The requirements are basically the same as cars.

And it fits on the bike path!

 

[Ken M]

Does anyone even know about HR727??? We have a federal definition for a "low speed electric bicycle" that should have preempted the state 3 class system that was actually paid for by lobby money from the auto industry (they want to harmonize with the EU but also cause this confusion to ensure very few people used ebikes instead of autos). NO ONE should support this bill!!! The idea that a throttle or PAS to 20mph needs to be classified differently just shows how poorly law makers understand technology and should prohibit them from writing bills like this.

 

[J.R.]

Does anyone even know about HR727??? We have a federal definition for a "low speed electric bicycle" that should have preempted the state 3 class system that was actually paid for by lobby money from the auto industry (they want to harmonize with the EU but also cause this confusion to ensure very few people used ebikes instead of autos). NO ONE should support this bill!!! The idea that a throttle or PAS to 20mph needs to be classified differently just shows how poorly law makers understand technology and should prohibit them from writing bills like this.

Because what we have doesn't work. It has no teeth, it is unenforceable and it was written 24 years ago for a couple thousand brushed hub motor ebikes, with 24V sealed lead acid batteries.

Have a heart, if not common sense. The new law will not eliminate your 20mph throttle ebike. The new law will eliminate the sale of emotos.

These stories are an everyday occurrence. We can either have reasonable laws or they will ban ebikes entirely.

 

[Gionnirocket]

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7301173997935398187

Firearms kill vastly more youth than e-bikes, as firearms remain a leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States, whereas e-bike fatalities—while rising—remain statistically rare.

 

[Roamers]

Firearms kill vastly more youth than e-bikes, as firearms remain a leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States, whereas e-bike fatalities—while rising—remain statistically rare.

Should rate of death be the predominant criterion for all decisions/regulations?

 

[Gionnirocket]

Should rate of death be the predominant criterion for all decisions/regulations?

No... But it sure is a good place to start.
Reckless is already against the law pretty much everywhere.
Most of the problem here is ignorant/poor parenting and I'm not a big fan of making the world idiot proof. I prefer to let Darwin do his thing.

 

[Chargeride]

Dont post drunk

 

[Ken M]

People for Bikes came up with this idea that ebikes should have stickers/labels indicating class, power, and speed but many ebikes just had multi-mode capability because the federal regulation for sale in all 50 states allowed that and didn't require stickers (the stickers should have been preempted by the CPSC immediately but they were fearful of stepping into this mess after over 30 states had already been lobbied to adopt the 3 class legislation. There was nothing stopping EU compliant ebikes from being sold in all 50 states so there was no merit to adopting classes to harmonize with the EUs 2 classes at 25kph and 45kph (HR727 allowed motor alone assist to 20mph so People for Bikes was at least smart enough to allow class 1 to go higher than 25kph which is just 15mph). You will never hear an admission from People for Bikes that they created much of the regulatory mess - as guilty as the kids riding what are off-road EVs on public infrastructure just because they have pedals.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Dont post drunk

I thought for sure you queried Ai... "how to appear smarter than Stefan"

 

[Ken M]

Because what we have doesn't work. It has no teeth, it is unenforceable and it was written 24 years ago for a couple thousand brushed hub motor ebikes, with 24V sealed lead acid batteries.

Have a heart, if not common sense. The new law will not eliminate your 20mph throttle ebike. The new law will eliminate the sale of emotos.

These stories are an everyday occurrence. We can either have reasonable laws or they will ban ebikes entirely.

In 2024, approximately 7,148 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, representing 18% of all traffic-related deaths. While this figure marks a slight decrease from previous record highs, pedestrian fatalities have risen by nearly 80% since 2010, highlighting a long-term safety crisis on American roads.
Pedestrians killed by ebikes remains very rare!!
Riders of ebikes are getting injured more but I wonder how many of those are from riders of ebikes not compliant to HR727. I believe most are riding electric motorbikes like Surons that really are not ebikes just because they have functional pedals.

HR727 limited power above 20mph to what would sustain 20mph (ie not a cut-off which is a horrible technical way to limit ebike speed and is in itself adding risk) so it was a very intelligent law (keep in mind it pass congressional approval 1 vote short of consensus). Speeds above 20mph would be the result of the rider adding power via pedaling or gravity from going downhill. The guy that wrote it was a PhD Electrical Engineer that was far more intelligent than the people proposing these new regulations. If HR727 was not passed ebikes would have remained under NHTSA legal purview as a motorized vehicles and all the associated requirements. There is so much disinformation coming from groups like People for Bikes that should be bike advocacy groups but are receiving money from the auto industry to push bad legislation like the 3-class system.

 

[BEC111]

An observstion, relevant to these issues. I’ve seen more mainstream media reporting on e-bikes that explicitly differentiates e-bikes and e-motos and also often includes reference to the three classes of e-bike. It will take a while for ignorant legislators to comprehend these subtleties and we can’t expect the greater mass of ignorant fearful folks to catch on. After all, these same fearful folks are often the ones who buy their kids the e-motos. Things might actually improve.