Bill Summary
The **Safe Standards for Personal E-bike and E-moto Device Specifications Act** (Safe SPEEDS Act) is a proposed legislation aimed at enhancing the safety standards for low-speed electric bicycles and other off-road electric devices. The Act mandates the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop a uniform consumer product safety standard within one year of enactment. The key provisions include:
1. **Classification and Labeling**: The CPSC is required to create distinct classifications for low-speed electric bicycles and other off-road electric devices, along with clear labeling requirements that indicate the device's classification, motor power, maximum speed, and age recommendations for use.
2. **Safety Analysis**: The CPSC must analyze data related to crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving these devices over the past five years, considering user demographics and device classifications. This analysis will inform the safety standards and future regulations.
3. **Consultation and Collaboration**: The CPSC is tasked with consulting various stakeholders, including manufacturers, experts, and safety advocacy groups, to ensure comprehensive input in developing the standards.
4. **Prohibitions**: The legislation prohibits the sale of devices that do not meet the established definitions or that can be modified to exceed safety classifications.
5. **Grants and Training**: The Act allocates funds for training and grants to relevant entities for data collection and public education about the safe use of these devices.
6. **Periodic Review**: After the standards are implemented, the CPSC will periodically review and update them based on ongoing analysis of safety data.
Overall, the Safe SPEEDS Act aims to improve consumer safety by establishing clear guidelines for low-speed electric bicycles and off-road electric devices, helping to prevent accidents and injuries associated with their use.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Safe SPEEDS Act" could affect people:
1. **Enhanced Safety for Users**: The implementation of consumer product safety standards for low-speed electric bicycles and off-road electric devices would likely lead to improved safety for users. With clear labeling and classification, consumers would be better informed about the capabilities and limitations of these devices, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. For instance, a parent could ensure that their child is using an appropriate device that matches age recommendations, which could decrease the likelihood of misuse and related injuries.
2. **Market Changes for Manufacturers and Retailers**: Manufacturers and sellers of low-speed electric bicycles and other off-road electric devices will need to comply with new safety standards, which may require changes in product design, labeling, and marketing practices. This could lead to increased production costs as companies may need to invest in safety features or technology to meet the new regulations. Consequently, this might affect pricing strategies, potentially increasing the cost of these devices for consumers.
3. **Increased Awareness and Education**: The Act mandates the development of public education and safety initiatives related to the use of low-speed electric bicycles and off-road electric devices. This could lead to community awareness programs that educate users about safe riding practices, proper usage, and the importance of compliance with age restrictions. As a result, users may gain a better understanding of the risks associated with these devices, leading to more responsible usage and a potential decrease in accidents.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7839 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7839
To require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a
consumer product safety standard for the uniform classification and
labeling of certain electric bicycles and other off-road electric
devices, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 5, 2026
Mr. Min (for himself, Mr. Lawler, and Mr. Huffman) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a
consumer product safety standard for the uniform classification and
labeling of certain electric bicycles and other off-road electric
devices, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Standards for Personal E-bike
and E-moto Device Specifications Act'' or the ``Safe SPEEDS Act''.
SEC. 2. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARD FOR LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC
BICYCLES AND OTHER OFF-ROAD ELECTRIC DEVICES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate, under section
553 of title 5, United States Code, a final consumer product safety
standard for the uniform classification and labeling of low-speed
electric bicycles and other off-road electric devices that are
manufactured in, offered for sale to a consumer in, or imported into
the United States.
(b) Analysis; Consultation; Evaluation.--The Commission shall carry
out the following:
(1) To the extent feasible, conduct and publish an analysis
with respect to any crash, injury, and fatality associated with
the use of a low-speed electric bicycle or any other off-road
electric device reported during the 5-year period that precedes
the date of the enactment of this Act, disaggregated by--
(A) the age of the user of the bicycle or device;
and
(B) the type of bicycle or device, including--
(i) whether the bicycle or device involved
in the crash, injury, or fatality is a low-
speed electric bicycle, any other off-road
electric device described in subsection
(h)(7)(A), or another bicycle or device; and
(ii) if the bicycle or device is a low-
speed electric bicycle, the classification of
the bicycle as a class 1 electric bicycle,
class 2 electric bicycle, class 3 electric
bicycle (as defined in section 217(j)(2) of
title 23, United States Code), or as none of
such classifications.
(2) Evaluate the efficacy of Federal, State, and local
laws, regulatory guidance, industry best practices, and
international standards related to classifying, labeling, and
establishing age restrictions for low-speed electric bicycles
and other off-road electric devices (including the
classifications of class 1 electric bicycle, class 2 electric
bicycle, or class 3 electric bicycle as defined in section
217(j)(2) of title 23, United States Code) to determine whether
the Commission should consider any such law, regulatory
guidance, or best practice in carrying out the requirements
described in subsection (c).
(3) To the extent feasible and appropriate, consult with
the following:
(A) Manufacturers, importers, and sellers of low-
speed electric bicycles and other off-road electric
devices.
(B) Independent product safety engineers and
experts.
(C) Representatives of consumer and transportation
safety advocacy groups.
(D) The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration.
(E) Any other entity as the Commission determines
appropriate.
(c) Requirements.--Based on the analysis, evaluation, and
consultation required under subsection (b), the Commission shall ensure
the standard promulgated under subsection (a) includes the following:
(1) Definitions of distinct classifications for low-speed
electric bicycles and other off-road electric devices.
(2) Minimum age recommendations for the use of low-speed
electric bicycles and other off-road electric devices with
respect to each classification defined pursuant to paragraph
(1).
(3) A requirement that a low-speed electric bicycle or any
other off-road electric device--
(A) satisfies a classification defined pursuant to
paragraph (1); and
(B) includes, at the time a low-speed electric
bicycle or any other off-road electric device is
offered for sale, a permanent, clearly visible, and
consistently placed label on such bicycle or device
that specifies--
(i) the classification satisfied;
(ii) the motor power of the bicycle or
device;
(iii) the maximum speed of the bicycle or
device when powered solely by a motor;
(iv) the relevant minimum age
recommendation described in paragraph (2); and
(v) with respect to any other off-road
electric device described in subsection
(h)(7)(A), any such device--
(I) is not intended for on-road
use; and
(II) does not satisfy any motor
vehicle safety standard prescribed
under chapter 301 of title 49, United
States Code.
(4) A prohibition on the sale, offer for sale to a
consumer, or display of a consumer product labeled as a low-
speed electric bicycle that--
(A) does not satisfy the definition of a low-speed
electric bicycle;
(B) is designed, manufactured, or displayed by the
manufacturer, importer, or seller of the consumer
product to have the capacity to be configured or
modified to increase the maximum speed or motor power
of the consumer product such that the consumer product
would no longer satisfy such definition; or
(C) is designed, manufactured, or displayed by the
manufacturer, importer, or seller for off-road use and
does not have operable pedals.
(d) Modifications.--At any time after the promulgation of the
standard under subsection (a), the Commission may, through a rulemaking
under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, modify the
requirements of the standard.
(e) Treatment of Standard.--A standard promulgated under this
section, including a modification of such standard, shall be treated as
a consumer product safety rule promulgated under section 9 of the
Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058).
(f) Analysis on Crashes, Injuries, and Fatalities.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
promulgation of the standard under subsection (a), and
periodically thereafter at regular intervals, the Commission
shall conduct an analysis of any crash, injury, and fatality
associated with the use of a low-speed electric bicycle or any
other off-road electric device reported beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act or on the date of the publication
of the most recent analysis conducted under this paragraph,
whichever date is later, disaggregated by--
(A) the age of the user of the bicycle or device;
and
(B) the type of bicycle or device, including--
(i) whether the bicycle or device involved
in the crash, injury, or fatality is--
(I) a low-speed electric bicycle;
(II) any other off-road electric
device described in subsection
(h)(7)(A); or
(III) a bicycle or device that--
(aa) does not satisfy--
(AA) a
classification defined
pursuant to subsection
(c)(1); or
(BB) a requirement
described in subsection
(c)(3); or
(bb) violates the
prohibition described in
subsection (c)(4); and
(ii) the classification defined pursuant to
subsection (c)(1) that each such bicycle or
device satisfies.
(2) Consultation.--The Commission shall consult with a
relevant entity and any other entity as the Commission
determines feasible and appropriate to conduct any study
required by paragraph (1).
(3) Redundancy.--In conducting any study required by
paragraph (1), the Commission shall avoid duplicating
information to the fullest extent practicable.
(4) Report; publication.--Not later than 30 days after the
date on which any study required by paragraph (1) is completed,
the Commission shall--
(A) submit to Congress a report on the findings of
the study; and
(B) publish the study on a website of the
Commission in a publicly accessible format.
(g) Grants; Training Module.--
(1) Grants.--
(A) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2027
through 2031, the Commission shall award grants to
relevant entities to carry out the following:
(i) Hire and train personnel to ensure
sufficient capacity and expertise for data
collection, reporting, and recordkeeping
related to any crash, injury, or fatality
associated with low-speed electric bicycles and
other off-road electric devices, including for
the identification and classification of such
bicycles pursuant to the classifications
defined pursuant to subsection (c)(1).
(ii) Develop and implement--
(I) policies, guidance, or best
practices to assist with the compliance
or enforcement of this Act in relation
to other applicable Federal, State, and
local laws, including policies,
guidance, or best practices for
manufacturers, importers, or sellers of
low-speed electric bicycles and other
off-road electric devices;
(II) data collection and reporting
protocols to enable the
standardization, accuracy, and
comprehensiveness of data on any crash,
injury, or fatality associated with
low-speed electric bicycles and other
off-road electric devices; and
(III) public education and safety
initiatives to improve awareness of
safety risks associated with the use of
low-speed electric bicycles and other
off-road electric devices, including
education and initiatives related the
standard promulgated under subsection
(a) and the requirements described in
subsection (c).
(iii) Any other purpose the Commission
determines necessary to support any study
required by subsection (f)(1).
(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Commission
$2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031
to award grants under this subsection.
(2) Training module.--The Commission shall develop a
publicly accessible training module to--
(A) instruct relevant entities on how to identify
and classify a low-speed electric bicycle and any other
off-road electric device based on the standard
promulgated under subsection (a); and
(B) improve the standardization, accuracy, and
comprehensiveness of data collection and reporting with
respect to any crash, injury, or fatality associated
with such bicycles and devices.
(h) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Consumer
Product Safety Commission.
(2) Consumer product.--The term ``consumer product'' has
the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Consumer Product
Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052).
(3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(4) Local government.--The term ``local government'' means
any unit of government within a State, including the following:
(A) A city.
(B) A town.
(C) A county.
(D) A municipality.
(E) A special district.
(F) A school district.
(G) Any other agency or instrumentality of a State
or local government.
(5) Low-speed electric bicycle.--The term ``low-speed
electric bicycle'' has the meaning given the term in section 38
of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2085).
(6) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native
Hawaiian organization''--
(A) means an organization that--
(i) serves and represents the interests of
Native Hawaiians;
(ii) provides services to Native Hawaiians;
and
(iii) has expertise in Native Hawaiian
affairs; and
(B) includes Native Hawaiian organizations
registered with Office of Native Hawaiian Relations of
the Department of the Interior.
(7) Other off-road electric device.--The term ``other off-
road electric device'' means--
(A) a consumer product that--
(i) is designed, manufactured, or
recommended by the manufacturer, importer, or
seller for off-road use;
(ii) is powered by an electric motor;
(iii) may or may not have operable pedals;
and
(iv) is equipped with--
(I) fewer than 4 wheels;
(II) a seat or saddle designed to
be straddled by the user of the
consumer product; and
(III) handlebars for steering
control of the user; or
(B) any other consumer product as determined by the
Commission.
(8) Relevant entity.--The term ``relevant entity'' means
any of the following:
(A) A law enforcement agency.
(B) An emergency management service agency that
is--
(i) operated by a State, local, or Tribal
government or Native Hawaiian organization; or
(ii) described in section 501(c) of title
26, United States Code.
(C) A State.
(D) A local government.
(E) A Tribal government.
(F) A Native Hawaiian organization.
(9) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and
any other territory or possession of the United States.
(10) Tribal government.--The term ``Tribal government''
means the recognized governing body of an Indian Tribe.
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