City Moves to Update Bicycle Laws, Define E-Bikes and End Registration Rule

Owners of electric bikes could see some changes in local regulations.

The City Council is set to update the city’s bicycle regulations to reflect new state laws, including official definitions for electric bicycles and the elimination of outdated registration and licensing requirements.

The proposed ordinance, drafted by the City Attorney’s Office, would amend the Pasadena Municipal Code to align with Assembly Bill 1909, a 2022 state law that standardized e-bike classifications and removed local bicycle registration mandates across California.

Under the changes, the city would formally define electric bicycles in accordance with state law and remove requirements for riders to obtain a city-issued license or register their bicycles. The ordinance also includes general language updates and technical cleanups to modernize Pasadena’s municipal code.

The revisions are necessary to ensure Pasadena’s regulations stay consistent with state standards.

Implementation will be handled by the Transportation Department, with enforcement support from the Pasadena Police Department, which will continue to oversee bicycle safety and compliance.

Officials said the updates support the City Council’s broader goals to improve roadway safety, enhance bicycle infrastructure, and promote sustainable transportation options in line with Pasadena’s General Plan, Local Roadway Safety Plan, and Pedestrian Transportation Action Plan.

The ordinance carries no fiscal impact, as related enforcement and administrative functions are already covered within existing department budgets.