The bicycle industry association PeopleForBikes has formally requested that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) establish clearer regulatory distinctions between electric bicycles and high-powered electric motorcycles or dirt bikes.
Industry representatives argue that current terminology is problematic, as high-performance vehicles capable of reaching speeds between 80 and 100 km/h are frequently marketed as e-bikes, despite significantly exceeding the performance limits of standard commuter electric bicycles.
PeopleForBikes proposes maintaining the current federal definition for low-speed electric bicycles while creating a separate regulatory category for electric motorcycles, including those reaching speeds up to 96 km/h.
The organization also advocates for mandatory electrical safety standards for off-road electric motorcycles and increased scrutiny of conversion kits that allow conventional bicycles to exceed their original design limits.
Furthermore, the association is urging the CPSC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to coordinate enforcement efforts against electric motorcycles that currently bypass federal requirements.
