HomeMy WebLinkAboutSB 455 (Blakespear) TVC Support if Amended
Tri-Valley Cities
DANVILLE • DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SAN RAMON
May 9, 2025 The Honorable Catherine Blakespear California State Senate
1021 O Street, Suite 6640 Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SB 455 (Blakespear) :Low-Power Mopeds and Electric Bicycle Safety Labeling Tri Valley Cities Coalition – Notice of Support if Amended
Dear Senator Blakespear: On behalf of the Tri-Valley Cities Coalition—representing the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and the Town of Danville—we write to express our support for SB 455 if amended to strengthen its proposed labeling requirements for electric bicycles and low-power mopeds. The Coalition appreciates your leadership in advancing this important measure to improve consumer transparency and public safety. As our communities increasingly contend with the proliferation of high-powered micromobility devices on local roads, trails, and sidewalks, the need for clear regulatory distinctions and user awareness has never been more urgent.
SB 455 takes a meaningful step in that direction by requiring permanently affixed labels identifying whether a device is an electric bicycle or low-power moped. To further strengthen this effort, we
respectfully request an amendment to require that these labels also include brief language referencing key operational and legal requirements—including helmet usage, licensing (where applicable), and minimum age restrictions under state law.
Including this critical information on the label would help ensure that riders—and particularly youth—understand their legal obligations and safety responsibilities at the point of purchase and throughout the life of the device. This would also aid law enforcement and first responders in distinguishing legal versus noncompliant devices in the field, especially as these vehicles become
more powerful and less visually distinguishable. In summary, we support SB 455’s goal of increasing clarity around the classification and operation of electric micromobility devices. We believe that by incorporating essential safety, licensing, and age requirement references into the labeling provisions, the bill can more effectively promote accountability, injury prevention, and community safety in our cities.
Thank you for your commitment to public safety and for considering our requested amendment.
Tri-Valley Cities
DANVILLE • DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SAN RAMON
Sincerely,
______________________ ____________________
City of Pleasanton City of San Ramon
Mayor Jack Balch Mayor Mark Armstrong
Tri-Valley Cities Coalition Cc: Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer Kahan Assembly Member Liz Ortega Senator Jerry McNerney Senator Tim Grayson
__________________ ____________________ ____________________ Town of Danville City of Dublin City of Livermore Mayor Renee Morgan Mayor Sherry Hu Mayor John Marchand