E-bikes: rules, regulations and popularity

On Oct. 7, 2015, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill, AB 1096, into law that designates three classes of electric bikes or e-bikes. The bill distinguishes lower-speed e-bikes that reach motor-assisted speeds of up to 20 mph from higher-speed pedal electric cycles, which have pedal-assist motors that can go up to 28 mph. This class system allows the use of lower-speed e-bikes on bicycle paths and also grants local municipalities flexibility in regulating different types of e-bikes based on