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

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1167, a new law that creates a clear legal distinction between electric bicycles and the more powerful electric motorcycles, often called e-motos, that are frequently sold alongside them. According to Streetsblog California and Bicycle Retailer, starting January 1, 2027, sellers must state in all advertising that e-motos are motor vehicles requiring registration, an M1 or M2 motorcycle license, and insurance. E-bikes remain capped at 750 watts. The change comes as motorcycle crashes continue to be a serious concern in East County. In 2023, El Cajon recorded 34 motorcyclists killed or injured, ranking ninth worst among 62 similarly sized California cities, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation notes that many e-moto owners believe they bought a bicycle and never obtain the license, registration, or insurance the law already requires. That gap can complicate injury claims in several ways. When an uninsured e-moto rider causes a crash, the injured person may turn to their own uninsured motorist coverage, which applies when the at-fault motor vehicle carries no liability insurance. When the e-moto rider is the one injured, many auto policies exclude uninsured motorist coverage for injuries on a vehicle the policyholder owns but did not insure, leaving riders without a backup source of recovery. When fault is disputed, riding without a motorcycle license does not by itself make a rider responsible for a crash, but insurers often raise it to argue the rider shares the blame. The firm's motorcycle accident lawyer in El Cajon, CA represents riders, drivers, and families of those killed in these collisions.

"Most families who buy these machines have no idea they've bought a motorcycle," said Barry P. Goldberg, founder of the firm and a recognized authority on uninsured and underinsured motorist law in California. "The new disclosures should help. Until they take effect, anyone who rides one or shares the road with one should confirm their auto policy carries uninsured motorist coverage, because that's often what pays after an e-moto crash." Founded in 2005, Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation serves injured Californians from offices in El Cajon, Woodland Hills, Valencia, and Simi Valley. Riders and families who have a case to discuss can contact the firm to schedule a free consultation.