Electric bicycles: required equipment.

Assembly Member Davies proposes new safety requirements for electric bicycles in California, mandating rear reflectors or lights during all hours of operation and establishing specialized training requirements for young riders. The legislation modifies existing bicycle equipment standards that currently apply only during darkness, extending constant visibility requirements specifically to electric bikes.

The bill creates a pathway for minors cited for helmet violations while riding electric bicycles to avoid penalties by completing a California Highway Patrol-approved safety course and obtaining proper protective equipment. Parents or guardians must provide documentation of compliance within 120 days of citation. Fines collected from violations would fund county health department bicycle safety education programs and subsidize helmets for low-income families, with 72.5% allocated to these initiatives, 2.5% for administrative costs, and 25% directed to local jurisdictions.

These provisions aim to address the distinct operational characteristics of electric bicycles through targeted equipment standards and rider education requirements. The bill maintains existing enforcement mechanisms while establishing specific compliance pathways for the growing electric bicycle market.