Are Retro Ebikes Safe Enough? California's New Laws Say More Needs to Be Done
Vintage electric bikes are surging in popularity—but are they keeping up with evolving safety standards? California just passed two laws that might shape the future of retro ebike regulations across the U.S.
With the growing trend of retro electric bikes and vintage-style e-mobility, consumer safety has taken center stage. On July 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two key e-bike safety bills—AB 544 and AB 545—marking a pivotal moment for the fast-expanding electric bike market.
🚨 AB 544: New Reflective Lighting Requirements for Night Riding
- All ebikes ridden at night must be equipped with a rear red reflector or flashing red light.
- These lights must be visible from 500 feet when illuminated by vehicle headlights.
- This aligns retro ebikes closer to the safety standards used for motor vehicles.
For retro ebike manufacturers and OEM buyers, this implies upgrading stock configurations to include compliant lighting for legal road use in California and potentially other states soon.
🔒 AB 545: Banning App-Based Speed Unlocking
AB 545 targets the digital unlocking of ebikes to bypass legal speed limits.
- Illegal to use apps or tools that bypass Class 1/2 (20mph) or Class 3 (28mph) speed limits.
- Third-party apps allowing speed override are now banned under California law.
- This affects high-power retro ebikes increasingly popular among enthusiasts.
The goal? To keep vintage ebikes fun and efficient—without compromising public safety.
🧭 What This Means for Retailers, Importers & OEM Buyers
- Ensure models include legally compliant rear lighting.
- Work with manufacturers that lock firmware to legal speed settings by default.
- Clearly label bike classes and legal limits for customer awareness.
POLEEJIEK offers a wide range of retro ebike models with customizable features for U.S. regulations, including compliant lighting systems, firmware-locked motor settings, and optional reflectors. Contact us for OEM and bulk order details.
📊 Retro Ebike Safety vs. Reality: The Bigger Picture
Despite rising accidents involving ebikes, California data shows that over 90% of cyclist fatalities involve motor vehicles—not the ebikes themselves. This underscores the need for:
- Dedicated ebike lanes and better infrastructure
- Stricter enforcement on car speeding and illegal overtaking
- Continued education for both riders and drivers
🔧 Innovation vs. Regulation: Finding the Balance
The clash between innovation and safety is inevitable—but not unsolvable. As vintage electric bikes continue to attract lifestyle riders, commuters, and collectors alike, legislation like AB 544 and AB 545 may serve as a blueprint for future national regulations.
For manufacturers and distributors, now is the time to align product design with legal compliance, not just for safety—but also for customer trust and long-term brand growth.
📌 Related Models from POLEEJIEK
Vintage Electric Bike
Classic frame, legal top speed, and compliant lights—ideal for urban cruising and regulation-ready.
Retro Fat Tire Electric Bike
Powerful motor with built-in limiters, reflective tire sidewalls, and LED lighting.
🏁 Conclusion
California's new laws highlight one clear truth: the future of ebikes isn’t just about speed and design—it’s about responsibility. As retro ebike adoption grows, aligning innovation with legal compliance will be the key to sustained industry success.
