HB 25-1197: Sale of Electrical Assisted Bicycles Requirements - Colorado

Rerevised (04/15/2025) → Revised (04/14/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was revised to update the versioning information and add new disclosure language for vehicle registration. The most significant change is the addition of a mandatory statement on vehicle registration forms clarifying that certain vehicles are not classified as electrical-assisted bicycles under state law, but rather as motor vehicles subject to applicable motor vehicle laws when used on public roads or public lands.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly requires a specific disclosure statement on vehicle registration forms to inform owners that certain vehicles are classified as motor vehicles rather than electrical-assisted bicycles under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-1-102.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory disclosure language on vehicle registration forms stating that the vehicle is not an electrical-assisted bicycle as defined in state law, but is instead a motor vehicle subject to applicable motor vehicle laws when used on public roads or public lands.

TECHNICAL

Updated versioning information from 'REREVISED' to 'REVISED' and changed the adoption description from 'Adopted in the Second House' to 'Adopted on Second Reading in the Second House'.

Removed Senate committee sponsor names (Amabile and Ball, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jodeh) and the '3rd Reading Unamended' date stamp from the document header.

PA1 (03/06/2025) → Rerevised (04/15/2025) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized and amended to clarify its status and expand sponsorship, with substantive changes to disclosure requirements for electrical assisted bicycles. The House version now includes additional co-sponsors and committee assignments, while the Senate version reflects all adopted amendments. Key content changes include removing a mandatory disclaimer stating the vehicle is not an electrical assisted bicycle under state law, and adding requirements for labeling and disclosing specific technical specifications to purchasers.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on electrical assisted bicycles offered for sale in Colorado, but the disclosure requirements have been modified to remove a specific disclaimer and add labeling obligations for manufacturers and distributors.

REQUIREMENT

Added co-sponsors to both House and Senate versions, expanding legislative support for the bill.

Removed a mandatory written disclosure requiring sellers to state the vehicle is not an electrical assisted bicycle under state law, which previously classified such vehicles as motor vehicles.

Added labeling requirements for manufacturers and distributors of electrical assisted bicycles effective January 1, 2026.

Modified disclosure requirements to include specific technical specifications such as motor power in watts, maximum speed, and bicycle class designation.

TECHNICAL

Updated committee assignments from Energy & Environment to Transportation & Energy in the Senate version.

Final Act (05/01/2025) → PA1 (03/06/2025) · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Colorado's electrical assisted bicycle regulations to strengthen consumer protections and clarify vehicle classifications. Key changes include new labeling requirements for multiple-mode e-bikes, expanded prohibitions on selling vehicles falsely labeled as e-bikes, and updated definitions to exclude modified or easily convertible vehicles. The bill also adds mandatory seller disclosures about motor power, speed, and class type to purchasers.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of prohibited conduct by explicitly banning the sale of non-e-bikes falsely labeled as e-bikes and adding restrictions on advertising such vehicles with misleading terms. It also clarifies that vehicles designed to be easily converted to non-compliant states are no longer considered electrical assisted bicycles.

TIMELINE

Updated the deadline for multiple-mode e-bike labeling requirements from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2026

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for sellers to provide written disclosures about safety resources to e-bike purchasers

Added prohibition on selling non-e-bikes falsely labeled as Class 1, 2, 3, or multiple-mode e-bikes

Added prohibition on advertising non-e-bikes using e-bike terminology without required disclosure statements

Modified seller disclosure requirements to include motor power, maximum speed, and class type information

DEFINITION

Expanded definition of electrical assisted bicycle to exclude modified vehicles and those designed to be easily converted to non-compliant configurations

Added new definition for multiple-mode electrical assisted bicycle to clarify vehicles capable of switching between different classes

Signed Act (05/28/2025) → Final Act (05/01/2025) · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Colorado's electrical assisted bicycle regulations to improve consumer protection and clarify vehicle classifications. The changes include adding new labeling requirements for multi-mode e-bikes, clarifying disclosure obligations for sellers, and updating definitions for battery types and vehicle classes.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on electrical assisted bicycles offered for sale in Colorado, but expands requirements for multi-mode vehicles and seller disclosures.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that multi-mode electrical assisted bicycles sold after January 1, 2027 must identify the highest class or all classes the vehicle can operate in.

Modified seller disclosure requirements to include clearer language about insurance coverage and vehicle classification when selling vehicles falsely labeled as e-bikes.

Modified prohibited conduct section to clarify that vehicles designed to be easily configured to not meet e-bike requirements are prohibited from being sold as e-bikes.

DEFINITION

Modified definition of 'Class 2 electrical assisted bicycle' to clarify motor assistance characteristics.

Modified definition of 'Class 3 electrical assisted bicycle' to clarify motor assistance characteristics and speed limit.

Removed definition for 'LITHIUM-ION BATTERY' from the statute.

Reengrossed (03/10/2025) → Signed Act (05/28/2025) · 6 edits · May 28, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was amended to clarify requirements for selling electrical assisted bicycles (e-bikes) in Colorado, update definitions to exclude modified or easily configurable vehicles, and add new safety standards for lithium-ion batteries. The changes also adjust compliance dates and expand disclosure requirements for sellers.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly defines which vehicles are excluded from the e-bike definition (modified or easily reconfigurable vehicles) and expands battery safety certification requirements.

TIMELINE

Compliance date for multiple mode e-bike labeling requirements changed from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027.

DEFINITION

Added specific exclusions for vehicles that are modified or designed to be easily configured to not meet e-bike requirements.

Added definition for 'accredited testing laboratory' to establish standards for battery certification.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory safety certification requirements for lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes, requiring certification from accredited testing laboratories.

Added new disclosure requirements for Class 3 and multiple mode e-bikes, including a statement that individuals under 16 cannot legally operate them.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of battery certification requirements are now classified as deceptive trade practices under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

Engrossed (03/07/2025) → Reengrossed (03/10/2025) · 3 edits · Apr 15, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to add new co-sponsors and update the legislative status information. Substantively, the bill removes provisions related to seller disclosure requirements for electrical assisted bicycles, specifically deleting clauses that mandated sellers disclose motor power in watts and establish deceptive trade practice penalties for non-compliance. This change narrows the bill's scope by eliminating consumer protection mandates for e-bike sellers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced by removing specific disclosure requirements and penalty provisions related to electrical assisted bicycle sales.

REQUIREMENT

Removed requirement for electrical assisted bicycle sellers to disclose motor power in watts to purchasers.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed provision establishing deceptive trade practice penalties for sellers who fail to disclose motor power specifications.

TECHNICAL

Added new co-sponsors to both House and Senate sponsorship lists and updated bill status from Engrossed to Reengrossed.

Introduced (02/10/2025) → Engrossed (03/07/2025) · 5 edits · Apr 15, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift focus from creating a new statute to modifying existing bicycle equipment regulations. The changes clarify labeling requirements for multiple-mode e-bikes, add penalties for selling non-e-bikes as e-bikes, and require sellers to provide specific written disclosures about insurance coverage and vehicle classification.

Scope change

The bill now targets existing Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-221 rather than creating a new statute, expanding enforcement to include deceptive trade practices and insurance disclosure requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the effective date for labeling requirements from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027 for multiple-mode e-bikes.

Added requirement that sellers must disclose in writing that the vehicle is not an e-bike if they use terms like 'e-bike' without proper disclosure, including insurance coverage warnings.

Added requirement for sellers to disclose motor power in watts of electrical assisted bicycles.

Removed the separate section on safety information resources that required providing customer resources about e-bike classification and safe operating practices.

ENFORCEMENT

Added penalties for selling vehicles falsely labeled as e-bikes and for failing to provide required disclosures, classified as deceptive trade practices.

Sale of Electrical Assisted Bicycles Requirements

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