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Newsom Signs SB 1167: E-Motos Now Legally Motorcycles in California

California SB 1167 draws a legal line between e-bikes and e-motos, requiring disclosures that e-motos need registration, license, and insurance. Learn what it means for riders and crash victims.

This law matters because it closes a dangerous information gap that has left e-moto riders and crash victims exposed. Many consumers unknowingly purchase high-powered e-motos believing they are ordinary bicycles, only to discover after a crash that they lack the required license, registration, and insurance. That oversight can derail injury claims, force victims to rely on their own uninsured motorist coverage, or leave injured riders with no backup source of recovery. By mandating clear advertising disclosures starting January 1, 2027, California aims to prevent these surprises and ensure that riders understand their legal obligations before they hit the road. Until then, the advice from Barry P. Goldberg is simple: verify your auto policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, because it is often the only safety net when an e-moto crash occurs.