WALNUT CREEK, CA – Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) announced the introduction of the E-bike Accountability Act at a press conference held at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. The legislation aims to increase public safety by requiring Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles to be registered with the state and display license plates.
The announcement was attended by Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk, who introduced Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, Dr. Russell Rodriguez, Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Room Physician at John Muir Health, Dr. Craig DeVinney, Emergency Room Physician at John Muir Walnut Creek Emergency Department and Medical Director for Contra Costa Fire Prevention District, and Chief Ryan Hibbs, Walnut Creek Police Department.
“The dramatic rise in e-bike injuries across California demands immediate action,” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “This common-sense legislation will improve accountability and help law enforcement protect our kids and all users of our roads and pathways.”
Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk said “The rapid growth of e-bike and e-scooter use has been a growing concern among residents in Walnut Creek. It has become one of our top priorities for public safety in the city.”
“Over the past year, our Trauma team has treated double the number of injuries to e[1]bike and e-scooter riders, as well as pedestrians hit by them,” said Dr. Russell Rodriguez, Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Room physician at John Muir Health. “The types of neurological and orthopedic injuries we are treating are much closer to those often associated with motorcycle accidents than non-motorized bicycle injuries. We want people to ride e-bikes and e-scooters safely and responsibly, not show up in our Trauma Center.”
“E-bikes are an exciting part of modern transportation, but without clear accountability measures, they can pose significant safety challenges for our community. We regularly see incidents where riders operate outside the boundaries of safe ridership, and without registration or license plates, it is nearly impossible to identify them. The proposed legislation is a common-sense step that gives law enforcement the tools to protect riders, pedestrians, and drivers alike – while ensuring e-bikes remain a safe and sustainable option for everyone.” Said Ryan Hibbs, Chief of Police at Walnut Creek Police Department.
The Importance of the E-bike Accountability Act
The rapid growth in e-bike usage throughout the state has led to an alarming rise in injuries, representing an 18-fold increase from 2018 to 2023, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Unlike vehicles and motorcycles, e-bikes are not currently required to display license plates, making it difficult to identify riders involved in dangerous behavior or violations of traffic laws.
WHAT the E-bike Accountability Act DOES
The E-bike Accountability Act requires the following:
- Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles
- Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles to have a clearly displayed license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles
- Riders to possess proof of ownership matching the serial number of the electric bicycle
- The Department of Motor Vehicles to establish and develop a registration process for electric bicycles
Previous
- Feb 14 – Letter: Obolenskiy supports the E-Bike Accountability Act to Strengthen Youth Safety
- Dec 2025 – John Muir Heath’s Trauma Center Treating Double the Number of Injuries to E-Bike and E-Scooter Riders Compared to Previous Year
- Oct 2025 – Walnut Creek Set to Talk E-Bike Plan
- Aug 2025 – Danville Launches ‘Not My Kid’ E-Bike Safety Campaign
- April 2025 – Clayton Police Issues Statement on E-Bikes
