In early March, a new bipartisan Bill H.R.7839, the Safe Standards for Personal E-Bike and E-Moto Device Specifications Act, or the Safe SPEEDS Act, was introduced to U.S. Congress by representatives Dave Min (D-CA-47), Jared Huffman (D-CA-2), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1).
The new bill aims to give the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) the authority to define and regulate e-bikes and other electric micro-mobility devices, such as e-motos, at a national level in the U.S.
The Safe SPEEDS Act Would:
- Direct the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop a final consumer product safety standard defining clear and consistent classifications, labeling requirements, and minimum age recommendations for e-bikes, e-motos, and other off-road electric products.
- Require the CPSC to conduct and publish periodic studies on crashes, injuries, and fatalities associated with e-bikes and e-motos disaggregated by class.
- Establish a grant program and training module to help local governments, law enforcement agencies, and EMS standardize crash incident reporting, enhance data collection, and conduct public education on safety risks from e-bikes and e-motos.
The new bill is endorsed by PeopleForBikes, League of American Bicyclists, National Bicycle Dealers Association, Consumer Reports, Safe Routes Partnership, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Pundits note that the new bill fills a regulatory void, as federal e-bike safety standards in the USA haven’t been updated since 2002 (Public Law 107-319).
As e-bike popularity continues to surge, outdated federal standards have left consumers navigating a marketplace flooded with underregulated and potentially dangerous products.
Numerous reports have documented an increase in e-moto use and a spate of injuries associated with these products, which reach speeds above 20 mph when powered solely by the motor and can even reach top speeds of 40-50 mph or greater.
“PeopleForBikes is pleased to enthusiastically endorse the Safe SPEEDS Act, which will direct the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to gather and analyze data about incidents involving the many e-mobility products under its jurisdiction,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “The bill also directs the CPSC to adopt clear classification, age guidelines and labeling requirements for these devices, including consideration of the three recognized classes of low-speed electric bicycles. This legislation marks an important step towards understanding and mitigating the hazards posed by e-motos: higher speed electric motorized vehicles that are sold as electric dirt bikes, but often end up being inappropriately used on public roads by young riders.”
Consumer Reports (CR) has also endorsed a new bipartisan bill in Congress to make the e-bike marketplace safer for consumers. “The Safe SPEEDS Act would bring some much-needed clarity to consumers when they’re shopping for an e-bike,” said Cooper Lohr, senior policy analyst for transportation and safety at Consumer Reports. “Some manufacturers play fast and loose and make their e-bikes much more powerful than advertised, putting the safety of riders—and especially children—at risk.”
Review Bill H.R.7839 here.
Read the official press release for Bill H.R.7839 here.
