Will new state laws reduce dangerous e-bike riding in Silicon Valley?

Los Gatos community leaders are optimistic that new state laws will help control unsafe behavior by riders of electric bicycles and get illegal e-bikes off the streets. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed four recent bills that crack down on selling so-called “e-motos” that can exceed the speed limit for legal e-bikes; require more safety gear on some e-bikes; sets a speed limit of 10 miles per hour on sidewalks; and calls for creation of a statewide e-bike safety training program for preteens. Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore said he is particularly pleased with Senate Bill 1167, which strengthens a ban on advertising motorcycle-like e-motos as street legal e-bikes. “What it really does is make sure that consumers understand what is legal and what’s illegal,” Moore told San José Spotlight. “That’s been a big part of the problem — consumers are being marketed these illegal motorcycles and don’t do their own research.” A student leaving Los Gatos High School on an e-bike. Photo by Mike Langberg. Because