There's nothing quite like ripping into the box of your brand-new electric bicycle — aside from that adrenaline rush when you take it for its first spin, of course! But before you start looking for your next e-bike, and well before you make it to the checkout cart, getting to know your state's e-bike laws and regulations is an essential first step. Browse this detailed guide to discover e-bike regulations in your state.
The purpose of the three-class system is to determine the best uses and practices for each electric bike. Currently, 38 states in the United States use the three-class system for e-bikes:
People under 16 years old can't operate Class-3 e-bikes but can ride as passengers. All Class-3 e-bike riders must wear helmets.
Arkansas requires helmets for Class-3 e-bike riders under 21 years. Those under 16 can't ride Class-3 e-bikes.
Arizona doesn't have helmet or age minimum requirements for e-bike use.
California requires helmets for Class-3 e-bike riders. Those under 16 can only ride Class-3 bikes as passengers.
All e-bike class riders must have helmets, and Class-3 bikes aren't permitted on bike trails. People under 16 can only ride Class-3s as passengers.
Colorado requires helmets for Class-3 riders under age 21. Those under 16 can't ride Class-3 e-bikes.
E-bikes are permitted on all bike paths unless prohibited by local governments. Those under 16 can only ride Class-3s as passengers, and all Class-3 operators must wear helmets.
All e-bike classes are permitted wherever standard bicycles are allowed. All operators and passengers under 16 must wear helmets.
You must be 15 or older to operate a Class-3 e-bike, but underaged individuals can ride as passengers. All operators and passengers must wear helmets on Class-3 e-bikes. Class-3s aren't allowed on shared-use paths unless they're adjacent to highways or roadways.
People under 16 can't operate Class-3 e-bikes. Electric bikes are allowed on bike paths but not sidewalks.
E-bikes are allowed on bike paths but are subject to local restrictions.
Class-3 operators must be at least 15 years old. All Class-3 operators and passengers under 18 must have helmets.
People under 16 can only ride Class-3 e-bikes as passengers.
Those under 16 can only ride Class-3 e-bikes as passengers.
Class-3 riders must be at least 12 years old. All Class-3 operators and passengers need helmets.
Class-3 operators must be at least 16 years old. E-bikes aren't permitted on sidewalks.
Class-3 e-bikes aren't allowed on bike paths unless they're within highways or roadways. All operators and passengers under 16 need helmets. Those under 16 can't operate Class-2 or Class-3 bikes.
Classes 2 and 3 aren't allowed on bike paths. People under 14 can only ride Class-3s as passengers, and riders under 18 need helmets.
People under 16 can only ride Class-3 e-bikes as passengers.
Those under 15 can't operate e-bikes. All e-bike classes are permitted on bike paths.
People under 16 can only ride Class-3 e-bikes as passengers.
Though subject to local regulations, all e-bike classes are allowed anywhere bicycles are.
Classes 1 and 2 are allowed on bike paths, while Class-3s are only permitted on roadways. Class-3 riders must be 16 years old. Class-3 riders under 18 must have helmets.
E-bikes aren't allowed on sidewalks. Riders must be 15 years old.
Class-1 and 2 e-bikes are regulated as bicycles. New York prohibits Class-3 e-bike usage.
Those under 18 can operate Class-3 e-bikes if wearing helmets.
All Class-3 riders must wear helmets.
Class-3 operators must be 16 years old. Class-3 e-bikes are only allowed on bike paths adjacent to roadways and highways.
People under 16 may only ride Class-3 e-bikes as passengers.
People under 14 can't ride Class-3 e-bikes, and all riders must wear helmets. No e-bikes are permitted on sidewalks.
Those under 15 can only ride Class-3 e-bikes as passengers.
E-bikes are allowed on bike paths but not sidewalks.
People under 16 can only ride Class-3 e-bikes as passengers.
Class-3 operators must be 14 years old, and all riders need helmets.
Those under 16 can only ride Class-3 e-bikes as passengers.
Class-3 e-bike operators must be 16 or older, and riders under 15 need helmets. West Virginia doesn't recognize Class-2 e-bikes.
People under 16 years can't operate Class-3 e-bikes.
While subject to local restrictions, all e-bike classes are allowed on bike paths.
Though some states slightly modify details within their three systems, below are the general requirements of these three classes. It’s always best to look up the laws in your area before riding.
Class-1 electric bikes only offer assistance when you engage the pedals. This pedal-assist technology ceases when you reach 20 miles per hour. Municipalities usually treat class-1 e-bikes as classic street and mountain bikes. Naturally, this makes them suitable for bike paths, lanes, roads or any other hotspots for standard bicycles. If you're new to the thrilling realm of electric bikes, be sure to research local rules before taking your new ride for a spin — certain areas may prohibit the use of motorized vehicles altogether. Otherwise, you can enjoy your class-1 e-bike on most standard streets and highways.
Similar to class-1 bikes, class-2 electric bikes feature pedal assistance of up to 20 miles per hour. Class-2 e-bikes also have throttle-only capabilities, meaning you can ride them without engaging the pedals. Throttle-only mode can be helpful when your pedaling abilities are restricted by limited mobility or an injury, or you just want to cruise.
Class 3
Class-3 e-bikes feature speedometers and provide assistance until you reach 28 miles per hour, allowing riders to travel at higher speeds than their counterparts in the other two classes. This feature makes them an excellent choice for everyday commuters and adventure junkies alike.
Remember to follow local rules when venturing onto bike-only paths. While you might enjoy an opportunity to fuel your need for speed or humble a fellow rider, some areas have rules to discourage racing. Certain trails and lanes may even prohibit class-3 e-bikes due to their high speeds.
Certain states and Washington, D.C. don't use the three-class system, but they have other means of identifying and enforcing electric bikes. Some states treat e-bikes the same as traditional bikes. Some classify them as mopeds or scooters. Other states don't have clear-cut e-bike classifications but still enforce stringent guidelines for riding.
Below are the non-tiered states and districts and their e-bike regulations.
Alaska defines e-bikes as “motor-driven cycles," which aren't subject to the same road rules as traditional bicycles. E-bike riders must have an operator's license, but they aren't required to have insurance, registration or helmets. Riders must be at least 14 years old and steer clear of sidewalks and bike paths.
Hawaii classifies e-bikes as “low-speed electric bicycles.” Riders must acquire registration and be at least 18 years old. Those aged 15 and older can operate an e-bike as long as it's registered under a household member. Anyone under the age of 16 must wear a helmet. E-bikes are permitted anywhere traditional bicycles can be ridden, bike paths included.
Kentucky considers e-bikes “bicycles,” provided they have pedals operable under combined human and motor power. The same road rules apply to both electric and traditional bicycles.
Riders aren't subject to licensing, registration and insurance requirements associated with motor vehicles. Helmets aren't required, and there isn't an age minimum for e-bike riders. E-bikes are permitted on bike paths and sidewalks.
Massachusetts defines e-bikes as “motorized bicycles,” provided that the maximum speed is 25 miles per hour or less. While the rider must have a license and registration, they aren't required to insure the bike. You also can't ride your e-bike on public sidewalks or bike paths. The minimum e-bike riding age is 16, and don't forget your helmet — it's required by law!
Montana permits electric bike riders on bicycle paths, sidewalks and roadways. The state defines an e-bike as an “electrically assisted bicycle,” and doesn't require a license, registration or insurance.
However, e-bikes can't reach speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour. There isn't an age requirement for e-bikes in Montana, but the safest option is for most riders to wait until they're 16 to ride an e-bike anyway.
Nebraska defines e-bikes as “electric-assisted bicycles,” with fully operable pedals, motors under 750 watts and a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. The same rules of the road pertain to human-powered and electric bicycles.
E-bikes are allowed on bike paths and sidewalks, and they aren't subject to licensing, insurance or registration. Helmets aren't required, and there's no age limit for riders.
Because New Mexico defines electric bikes as “mopeds,” every rider must have a license and insurance. They must also be at least 15 years old.
E-bikes are prohibited on New Mexico's public sidewalks, but their bike path usage isn't determined at a state level. You can contact your local government for information about designated bike paths for e-bikes.
E-bikes are considered “electric-assisted bicycles” in North Carolina. They must have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour, operable pedals and under 750 watts of power. Human-powered bicycles and e-bikes fall under the same umbrella of road rules.
Riders don't need helmets, insurance, licensing or registration, but they must be at least 16 years old. E-bikes are permitted on sidewalks if traditional bicycles are. Consult your local authority to find out whether e-bikes are allowed on bike paths.
Oregon defines e-bikes as “electric-assisted bicycles” and regulates them as standard bicycles, as long as the motor has a maximum power output of 1,000 watts. Furthermore, the bike can't exceed 20 miles per hour and must have human-powered pedals.
Electric bikes aren't subject to the licensing, registration or licensing requirements of standard motor vehicles, and the minimum riding age is 16. E-bikers in Oregon aren't required by law to wear helmets, but it's definitely a good idea to grab one on your way out!
Pennsylvania defines electric bikes as “pedalcycles with electric assist.” The bike must have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour, an output of under 750 watts, operable pedals, and a weight of 100 pounds or less.
Electric bikes are permitted wherever traditional bicycles and pedalcycles are ridden. That includes sidewalks, though some restrictions might apply. Helmets aren't required, and e-bikes are immune to the licensing, registration and insurance policies of standard motor vehicles. The minimum age to operate an e-bike in Pennsylvania is 16.
Rhode Island classifies electric bikes as “electric motorized bicycles” with a power output under 1,491 watts, fully operable pedals and a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour. Electric bikes aren't subject to standard motor vehicle laws. The state doesn't specify whether they're permitted on bike paths, so you can contact your local agency for more information regarding this matter.
South Carolina views electric bikes as standard vehicles, therefore subjecting them to the same rules of the road. However, e-bikes with a power output under 750 watts are exempt from the classification of “moped.” This means they aren't subject to moped requirements like licensing and registration.
You can consult your local authority for more information about e-bike usage in your jurisdiction and whether bike paths permit them.
In Washington, D.C., e-bikes are considered “motorized bicycles,” given they have operable pedals, a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour, and combined human and motor power abilities. E-bikes don't require insurance, licensing or registration. The same road rules apply to both electric and human-powered bikes. Riders must be at least 16 years old.
Be sure to research local e-bike laws if you reside in one of these states. You can find your state online and view its guidelines in full before riding.
Are you ready to put your knowledge of electric bike riding guidelines to use? Once you're familiar with the regulations in your state and municipality, it's time for the fun part — finding the perfect e-bike. If you're scouring the market for a high-quality e-bike suited to your recreational or transportation needs, look no further than Juiced Bikes. All Juiced Bikes ship in a Class 2 setting so they conform to nearly every state e-bike law, and they can be adjusted to Class 3 if the rider wants to increase their speed.
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