U.S. Electric Bike Regulations

 

Whether you're a long time electric bike rider or a beginner, every rider should be aware of the local and U.S electric bike regulations in their state.

Anyone who is considering purchasing an electric bicycle should understand their legal riding limits. Even experienced E-Bikers may benefit from a refresher on E-Bike regulations, as several states have changed their classifications as recently as 2022

If you're new to E-Biking, you're not alone; E-Bikes have become increasingly popular across the U.S. in the last decade. E-Bike popularity has outpaced U.S electric bike regulations and left many states playing catch-up. 

E-Bikes have grown in popularity as a fun way to explore outside and an eco-friendly alternative to traveling by car.  E-Bikes can often be more time efficient than than car or public transit in congested cities. Electric bikes are popular for recreation, fitness, and commuting. Many E-Bikes can even go off-road as high-performance electric mountain bikes. E-Bikes are increasingly replacing All Terrain Vehicles as the vehicle of choice for hunting, fishing, and traversing outdoor terrain. 

The E-Bike market grew over 23%-over-year in 2020, with the market projected to grow even more in the next ten years. People across the country continue to discover the benefits of electric bikes to enhance their everyday activities or as an opportunity to explore new terrain. Public Lands organizations also acknowledge the benefits of E-Bikes and are expanding access to riders across national parks, forests, and wilderness areas.

Several U.S. states are still adapting to this rapid growth in popularity and are navigating the implementation of E-Bike regulations and classifications. Some states have strict laws for electric bikes, while in other states, E-Bikes lack a specific vehicle classification, and it's not clear how they are regulated.  

Before you hop on your E-Bike, be sure you understand the current regulations in your state and for anywhere else you plan to ride. Some E-bikes are great for all-terrain riding, and in most states, they can go almost anywhere off-road vehicles can go. However, if you want to commute on your E-Bike or ride in the city, you may face a different set of regulations. 

Overview of U.S. electric bike regulations

Which states define an electric bicycle?

E-Bike definitions and classification is becoming increasingly common across the U.S. 44 states currently have definitions for E-Bikes. State legislation usually focuses on whether E-Bikes classify as traditional bikes, mopeds, or scooters, but definitions still vary across other states. 

Adoption of a board tired classification is growing across the country. These 26 states now define E-Bikes within three standard classes: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

Eighteen states classify E-Bikes using unique definitions; these states are Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Minnesota, Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington DC, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island. 

Eleven states or territories currently have no definitions for E-Bikes.

North Dakota, Missouri, New Mexico, Alabama, Massachusetts, Alaska, Puerto Rico, U.S Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

What are the different E-Bike classifications?

Twenty-six states have adopted a three-tiered classification that designates E-Bikes as either Class 1, 2, or 3. E-bikes span a wide range of analog bikes and dirt bikes, and the tiered system of E-Bike regulations recognizes this. It differentiates between E-Bike models with varying speed and power capabilities. 

Class 1 and 2 bikes are the most common class of E-Bikes for recreational riders who enjoy mountain biking, hunting, or exploring outdoors. Class 3 E-Bikes are typically designed to replace a moped or motorcycle and are best suited to urban road use. 

States which use the three-tiered classification have near-identical definitions for E-Bikes, as well as E-Bike safety and operation requirements. 

Three-Tiered Classification:

Class 1:

An E-Bike is considered Class 1 when it has a top speed of 20 miles per hour and an electric motor that works only with pedaling (pedal assist).

Class 2:

An E-Bike will fall into Class 2 if equipped with a throttle-actuated motor. That motor must cease to assist when the E-Bike reaches 20 miles per hour.

Class 3:

A Class 3 E-Bike is a bicycle with a motor that provides assistance only if the rider is pedaling and should cease to assist when the E-Bike reaches 28 miles per hour. Class 3 E-Bikes are also known as pedelec bikes. Class 3 is the most restricted classification, and some states impose additional safety restrictions for riders on Class 3 cycles. 

Is there a speed limit on E-Bikes in the United States?

Are you feeling a need for speed? The federal speed limit for E-Bikes is 20 miles per hour or less under motor power alone. 

The tiered classification system, adopted by many states, also specifies this speed limit. That classification sets 20 miles per hour as the legal limit for Class 1 & 2 bikes. Class 3 bikes are limited to speeds up to 28 miles per hour. 

The federal law acknowledges and allows for E-Bikes to travel faster when the rider uses a combination of human pedal and motor power. Local speed restrictions may also apply in specific areas.

Although some states have a specific speed limit for electric bikes, riders should also observe the local speed limits when on roads. Although many bikes can reach 30 miles per hour, you should follow the local limits if they are lower in areas such as school zones.  

How old do you have to be to ride an E-Bike?

Age restrictions for E-Bikes vary from state to state and are often only applicable to Class 2 or Class 3 electric bikes. 

Eight states require riders to be 14 or over to ride unaccompanied all classification levels. These states are Alabama, Alaska, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. In some states, riders under this age can still ride electric bikes when supervised by an adult over 18.

Six states have E-Bike regulations, which require riders to be 15 years or older, and fifteen states require riders to be over 16. There are some state-specific exceptions to these rules if an adult accompanies the rider. Many states do not have an official age requirement to ride, but most of those states require riders under either 16 or 18 to wear helmets. 

What states enforce E-Bike registration?

Most states that define E-Bikes as vehicles or on the same basis as mopeds will require riders to meet the state's specific registration requirements. States currently requiring E-Bike registration are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.

Which states have helmet requirements?

Within the U.S.A, 25 states and Washington D.C. currently have helmet requirements for E-Bike riders and passengers. Five states, Connecticut, Maryland, West Virginia, Massachusetts, and Louisiana, require helmets for all ages and across all E-Bike classes and bicycles.

Electric bicycle helmet laws across other states can be confusing as they are often specific to particular E-Bike classes or age groups. However, 25 states have no helmet requirements for any class of E-Bike or riders of any age. 

Typically, states which follow the tiered classification system require helmets at minimum for anyone riding a Class 3 E-Bike. But helmets are often required for younger riders on other bike classes as well. 

Most states which require helmets will accept bicycle helmets. However, Alabama requires a motorcycle helmet because it defines every E-Bike as a motor-driven cycle. While helmets aren't legally required in all states, Cruisin E-Bikes does recommend helmets for all E-Bike riders in the interest of E-Bike safety. 

Helmet laws by age

Around half the states in the U.S currently require children to wear helmets on E-Bikes at least until they reach a certain age. Helmet regulations most commonly apply only when the rider is under 21, but usually specifically for riders under 14 or 16. Around half of the states in the U.S. require children and teenagers to wear helmets, although we recommend that all children wear helmets even if not legally required.

Delaware, Florida, Maine, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Maryland, and Montana require any e-Bike Rider or their passenger under 16 years of age to wear a helmet. 

Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and New Mexico require anyone under 18 to wear a helmet when on an electric bicycle. 

Other states differ on the age up to which they require helmets. Oklahoma has a helmet law for anyone under the age of 19. In New Jersey, all bike riders under 17 must wear a helmet. In West Virginia, bike riders under 15 must wear a helmet and, in New York, bicycle riders under 14 are required to wear a helmet. In Louisiana and Pennsylvania, riders under the age of 12 must wear a helmet.

What states require a license to ride an E-Bike?

In States where E-Bikes are classified as mopeds or scooters, they usually require licensing and registration. Alabama, Alaska, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and North Dakota currently require a license to operate an E-Bike. States using the three-tiered classification system usually exempt electric bikes from registration, licensure, or insurance requirements.

Do I need insurance to ride an E-Bike?

Few states, West Virginia, North Dakota, and New Mexico, require E-Bike insurance. States which consider E-Bikes as distinct from motor vehicles do not require the insurance requirements that standard motor vehicles are subject to. 

Several states see E-Bikes as motor vehicles akin to mopeds and require the same license and registration requirements. However, most of those states do not require E-Bike insurance. Although driver's insurance is rarely needed, you may wish to add your electric bike to your home and contents insurance to protect against theft or damage. 

Where can I use my electric bike?

Each state has different rules about E-Bike access, and federal land rules also vary. 

Roads, sidewalks, and bike paths

Delaware, Iowa and Nebraska, and Vermont all define electric bicycles as on-par with bicycles. Therefore E-Bikes can operate on any trails and paths where bicycles are allowed. Hawaii's law does not have any specific restrictions on where e-bikes can be used.

Of the 43 states and D.C. that define E-Bikes, some state laws, such as in Arizona, Minnesota, Utah, and Washington, specifically allow for E-Bikes to operate on sidewalks and bicycle paths. However, local governments in these states have the power to impose additional restrictions. Class 3 bikes are more commonly restricted on bike paths and sidewalks as these bikes are allowed to go faster, making them better suited to road use and popular with E-Bike commuters. 

In the following states, E-Bikes may be operated on roads but can not be used on sidewalks or bike paths: Alabama, Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin. Some cities or local authorities may have exceptions to these regulations.

 In Florida, E-Bikes are allowed on sidewalks but are not permitted on bike paths when using human power alone.

E-Bike definitions & classifications by state:

An overview of the definitions per state is provided below, but further information on state-by-state safety and E-Bike regulations is found elsewhere in this article.

 

 

State electric bike rules and regulations change regularly. We recommend you check your local laws periodically so you can legally enjoy the benefits of riding your electric bicycle.