What California Senate Bill 586 Means for Electric Off-Highway Motorcycle Riders

As electric vehicles continue to evolve, so too must the laws that govern them. In California, Senate Bill 586 (SB 586), introduced during the 2025–2026 legislative session, proposes a new legal framework to address an increasingly common vehicle on our trails and open spaces: the electric off-highway motorcycle, also known as an “eMoto.” For riders, manufacturers, and legal advocates alike, this bill marks a significant shift in how the state classifies and regulates certain electric two-wheeled vehicles.

William E. Weiss, Attorney at Law, has long advocated for the rights of motorcycle riders across the San Francisco Bay Area, including pressing for the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies into California law. SB 586 is a step in that direction—aiming to balance safety, environmental concerns, and rider freedom. Learn more below, and contact attorney William E. Weiss if your rights as a motorcycle rider have been violated.

Defining the eMoto

Electric motorcycles are not new, but the type of vehicle SB 586 targets has largely existed in a regulatory gray area. These eMotos are lightweight electric two-wheeled vehicles built on a bicycle-style frame. They typically lack pedals, do not have traditional engine identification numbers, and are not eligible for registration under California’s standard Vehicle Code. As such, they’ve occupied a loophole that left both riders and law enforcement uncertain about how to treat them legally.

SB 586 addresses this by proposing a clear definition of these vehicles under California law. It introduces new sections to the Vehicle Code—specifically Sections 312.8 and 38008—defining an eMoto as an electric two-wheeled device that is not a moped, electric bicycle, or street-legal motorcycle, but rather a new category of off-highway vehicle.

Reclassifying eMotos as Off-Highway Motor Vehicles

The key effect of SB 586 is to bring eMotos under the legal umbrella of “off-highway motor vehicles.” This reclassification has far-reaching consequences. Once considered unregulated or ambiguously defined, these vehicles would now be subject to all the rules and responsibilities of off-highway vehicle use.

This includes requirements such as:

• Helmets for all riders.
• Operation only in areas designated for off-highway vehicle use.
• Display of appropriate identification plates issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Adherence to safety and noise standards set by California law.

This change means riders would no longer be able to operate eMotos on sidewalks, in bike lanes, or on public roads unless specifically authorized. The goal is to keep these vehicles in appropriate environments—primarily dirt trails, open spaces, and OHV (off-highway vehicle) parks—where their use is safer and less disruptive to others.

Public Safety and Community Education

In addition to defining and regulating eMotos, SB 586 tasks the California Highway Patrol (CHP), in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, with creating a public education initiative around the safe operation of these vehicles.

This educational outreach would focus on:

• Where and how eMotos can be legally operated.
• The importance of protective gear, especially helmets.
• Distinguishing between eMotos, electric bicycles, and other electric micromobility devices.

Such education is crucial. In urban and suburban areas, law enforcement has increasingly dealt with riders—often teens and young adults—operating eMotos in places they were never intended to be used, such as sidewalks, public parks, and roadways. These situations not only endanger the rider but can also create significant hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

By educating both riders and the public, SB 586 aims to improve safety while reducing conflicts between eMoto users and their communities.

A Win for Clarity and Accountability

For attorneys, advocates, and regulators, SB 586 offers something that’s often in short supply when it comes to emerging technology: clarity. Riders will know what kind of vehicle they’re operating and the rules they must follow. Law enforcement will have a legal framework to apply, reducing confusion and inconsistent enforcement. And injured parties—whether riders or members of the public—will benefit from clearer liability and insurance standards.

From a legal standpoint, the bill could also help prevent costly litigation over ambiguous vehicle status in the event of accidents or enforcement actions.

Considerations for Motorcycle Riders and Advocates

Although SB 586 targets a distinct class of electric vehicles and not traditional motorcycles, it’s a development that motorcyclists should watch closely. The way California regulates eMotos could set precedents for future laws affecting motorcycle riders, especially as more electric motorcycles enter the market.

Riders who frequent off-road trails or participate in OHV activities should also take note. More regulation means more responsibility, and it’s critical to ensure your vehicle complies with any new equipment or registration rules.

As always, if you are unsure about your legal obligations or if you’ve received a citation involving an eMoto or motorcycle, consult an experienced attorney. At William E. Weiss, Attorney at Law, we are here to help riders navigate California’s evolving legal landscape and defend their rights in and out of the courtroom.

What the Future Holds

SB 586 was introduced on February 20 and referred to the Senate Committees on Transportation and Natural Resources and Water. It passed out of both committees in April and was referred to Senate Appropriations, where it passed on May 12. The latest action was a hearing set for May 23 as this bill moves its way swiftly through the legislative process. It still has a long way to go before it becomes law, however.

Senate Bill 586 may not be controversial, but it is consequential. As eMotos continue to grow in popularity, especially among younger riders and tech-savvy consumers, California’s legislature is right to bring them into the fold of existing vehicle regulation.

This law won’t eliminate eMotos, nor is it intended to. Instead, it aims to make their use safer, clearer, and more consistent—for riders, the public, and the legal system alike. If you ride off-road or are considering an eMoto, now is the time to familiarize yourself with this bill and the responsibilities it introduces.

If you are a Bay Area motorcycle rider dealing with injuries in a crash with a motor vehicle, profiling or other violations of your civil rights as a rider, contact William E. Weiss for legal advice and assistance from an experienced and dedicated attorney for motorcyclists in San Francisco.