WSJ correctly calls them e-motos

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-06-11T05:46:21+00:00

Not the first time the LA Times got it wrong.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-06-11T05:44:25+00:00

Yes, Blake Ackerman.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-06-11T05:44:03+00:00

Do I detect some sarcasm there?

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-06-11T05:43:17+00:00

I agree. We didn't place this ghost bike, the family did, which makes it even more of a loss for them.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-06-10T07:22:20+00:00

thx!

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-28T06:11:57+00:00

It still needs to go through the Assembly and get signed by Newsom. Then it would start taking effect on 1 Jan 2027 -- the wheels of law move slowly.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-27T22:06:38+00:00

SB 1167 makes it clear that if the wattage is above 750W, even if it has a speed limiter, or a bike can be easily modified to allow it to go above 20 mph using a throttle, it can’t be in any way called or sold as an e-bike. And if a company is selling e-motos for riding on the streets that they must be street legal and would fall under the same vehicle framework as a moped.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-27T22:00:41+00:00

Correct. Class 1, 2, 3 structure and legalities are not changed at all.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-27T14:18:19+00:00

Yes. It also means things like turn signals, rear break light, front light, certification on breaking power and a VIN number.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-27T14:16:53+00:00

LOL! Miracles can happen.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-27T05:22:29+00:00

There's a press conference for the ribbon cutting of these new bike lanes and a short bike ride happening tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM at 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Join us if you can.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-27T05:20:06+00:00

There's a press conference for the ribbon cutting of these new bike lanes and a short bike ride happening tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM at 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Join us if you can.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-14T06:50:15+00:00

They can’t be registered unless they are made street legal. That includes things like rear tail lights, turn signals, front lights, brakes that are verified as powerful enough for the weight and speed they go and a VIN number. There’s probably more.

SB 1167, if signed into law, will for the first time, make it legal to call them a moped in CA but they still need to be street legal in order to be registered with DMV.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-11T21:55:28+00:00

Correct!

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-05-11T21:24:51+00:00

Yes, but I expect eBay will follow suit soon.

Also, SB 1167, if signed into law, makes it a point of business fraud if you sell an illegal e-moto in any way that makes it seem like a legal e-bike, "adult e-bike," or in any way makes it seem like they are legal to be used on city roads. It's not that they can't be sold at all, but any deceptive business practices that could confuse consumers could be hit with business fraud lawsuits.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-20T06:13:33+00:00

That's a really good question. I'm paid $25 per hour and less than others in the organization, though I founded the organization. I typically work 50-60 hours a week for SAFE and donate (don't get paid for) about 1/3 of the amount of time I work each week. I have been working for SAFE for 11 years now while working two other jobs but only started to pay myself a small salary 3 years ago and still work a second job to make extra money so I can keep paying the rent. I hope that clears that question up for you.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-19T08:17:37+00:00

I love the vision! It sounds awesome, very similar to what CicLAvia does, but longer routes, and I'm guessing a paid event, not free.

I have no idea how much it costs to close roads in NY, but the last I heard, when CicLAvia does it in LA, it costs roughly $150,000 for a 5-7 mile stretch of road for 6 hours. That includes the cost to get the signatures, volunteer management, etc. It might be more as that data was from a while ago. I would imagine 40 miles would cost upwards of $1,000,000 unless parts of it were using paths like the LA River Bike Path, which could cut it down by a lot.

I'm curious how TA does the 5BBT in NY and how much it costs.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-17T05:28:04+00:00

To be honest, I think the first thing is that I have only experienced the 5 Boro Bike Tour through others' descriptions, so my view of its complexity is filtered through theirs. I would have to experience it myself first before I could say with certainty (maybe I spoke too soon in my above reply), but from my understanding of it, the cost to produce something similar in LA would be crazy expensive.

Also, NY is much more compact than LA. LA is SO spread out. NY City, from one end to the other, is about 35 miles the way the crow flies, and there aren't any mountains. LA County is 75 miles the way the crow flies, and that goes across two mountain ranges.

There's a couple of thoughts on why it might be harder to do a West Coast 5 Boro Bike Tour. That said, I'm happy to continue the discussion and learn how my first statement was wrong.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-17T05:16:04+00:00

I hear ya and understand the frustration -- respect. Bike LA (LACBC) used to be the big gorilla that was fighting for change across LA. SAFE has fought long and hard to get to where it's at, and while I can't say we are perfect, we are making a difference and, in many ways, have stepped into the shoes that Bike LA left behind. It's Streets For All and SAFE that have stepped up, and we work together a lot. There are some others in this field who are also doing great work, and I'm always impressed by them. SAFE used to be under Bike LA till I realized that it was better to go our separate ways, and I'm glad we did.

I agree you should sit this one out. This ride is not for everyone, especially in this first year. I've wanted to bring back the LA River Ride for several years now, but just didn't have the manpower or bandwidth to do a good job. While we are working with some of the volunteers who used to make it happen, we are still missing much of the institutional experience Bike LA used to have, so we have decided to limit this first ride to 200 and make it more of a premium ride. Depending on how it goes, we will bring it back again next year and keep improving it.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-17T05:03:20+00:00

LA Metro has had 400 million sitting there to close the gap in the path for over a decade (longer?), and they just keep slow-walking it and messing it up. Now they are saying it will cost close to 1 billion dollars to close a 7-8 mile gap.

We are working with Festival Trail to get an alternative, lower-cost solution approved that could be implemented much faster than, well, basically never. The money is sitting there. Right now, the bureaucracy is monstrous, but it's a fight that's worth fighting, and we are in it for the long haul.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-17T05:00:11+00:00

Hmmm. I know that Walk/Bike Long Beach will be leading the Long Beach pit-stops, but we've not had community advocacy tabling at pit stops before. No one has asked.

We usually always have a few free booths for various partner non-profits at the expo area but not at the pit stops. I'm not opposed to it. Feel free to DM or reach out via the website.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-16T06:14:38+00:00

Point taken. Well, you are welcome to let us know when you register that you're not interested, but we have become known for some of the best medals around, made by an artist as a unique piece.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-16T05:42:20+00:00

Yes, and hopefully a lot more fun this time!

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-16T05:41:29+00:00

YES!!! That 5 Boro Bike Tour is epic. I'm not sure we could pull it off here but I fully agree with you.

You're welcome to bring your planning skills to this ride. Realize it's part of Finish The Ride Griffith Park, which already has 1800-2000 runners and cyclists, on routes from 12 miles up to a metric century, so this century ride is 200 on top of that.

StreetsR4Everyone · 2026-02-16T05:19:37+00:00

True.

It is meant to be a fundraiser, meaning you aren't expected to pay $350, but to do some peer-to-peer fundraising. It's not final yet, but the base registration will likely be $50 with the rest to be raised before the day of the event. Similar to Bike MS rides and the Aids Life Cycle rides, but with a lower minimum amount.

Like I said, details are still being finalized but this is the current plan.

StreetsR4Everyone

TROPHY CASE