E-bikes are no doubt getting faster and there are some now, which can reach the dizzying speeds of 120km/h.
However, understanding the laws on e-bikes is hugely important before you make a purchase and head out riding.
Where you live matters when it comes to e-bike legislation and you could find yourself in a slice of trouble if you ride certain e-bikes in certain countries or US states.
We don’t want you to get caught out, so we we’ve put together this guide to e-bike regulations, so you can ride safely and without any bother.
Let’s get started…
Are e-bikes street legal?
Some e-bikes are street legal, some aren’t and that depends on where you live.
In New York for example, e-bikes are considered street legal, if they have a max pedal or throttle assistance of 32km/h and they can’t go on the sidewalk.
Different countries have different e-bike laws and there are even different electric bike laws by state in the US.
There is a maximum electrically assisted speed of 25km/h for electric bikes in the United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, and New Zealand.
If you have an electric bike, which is quicker than 25km/h, it can no longer be classed as a bicycle – a license is required and the electric bike has to be registered officially like you would have to with a moped or light motorcycle.
This doesn’t rule out purchasing faster e-bikes in the above countries, but you would only legally be able to ride them on private land without a license or register it officially to ride on roads, requiring a license.
Can you ride an electric bike on the road without a license in the United States?
The electric bike laws by state vary and there are different systems in different parts of the US.
Some states follow a 3-class tier system, with different rules for different e-bikes, depending on their power.
Another collection of states have unique definitions for e-bikes and some have no e-bike legislation at all.
As a result, there are no over-arching federal e-bike laws in the US, but let’s look at how it breaks down by US state.
What is the US 3-class e-bike system?
Class 1
Class 1 e-bikes in the United States have to have a pedal-assisted motor and they can’t go quicker than 32km/h.
Class 2
Class 2 e-bikes in the United States have a throttle-assisted motor and they also can’t go quicker than 32km/h.
Class 3
Class 3 e-bikes in the United States can go faster, with a maximum limit of 45km/h. However, to ride these bikes in public areas you’re often required to put in place other safety measures and precautions, such as wearing helmets. These safety requirements differ by state.
Which US states follow the 3-class e-bike system in the United States?
There are 39 states, which now follow the 3-class system.
So if you’re wondering are e-bikes legal in California or are e-bikes legal in NYC? The answer is yes, they’re among the states that follow the 3-class system.
The others are – Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Although these states follow the same 3-class system for speed, some states also have extra safety measures in place for the varying classes – it means whether an electric bike is illegal depends on your age and some other factors.
Extra safety measures by US state using the 3-class e-bike system
Alabama
Anyone riding a class-3 e-bike has to wear a helmet in Alabama and class-3 electric bikes are only legal for adults to operate.
However, people aged under 16 can ride as a passenger.
Arkansas
Anyone under the age of 21 has to wear a helmet on a class-3 e-bike in Arkansas.
It is illegal for people aged under 16 to ride them.
Arizona
There are no specific extra rules in place in Arizona.
California
Anyone riding a class-3 e-bike has to wear a helmet in California and it is forbidden for anyone aged under 16 to operate them, however, those under 16 can ride as passengers.
Colorado
Anyone aged under 21 has to wear a helmet if they’re riding a class-3 e-bike.
Under-16s are forbidden from riding them.
Connecticut
A helmet is required across all classes of e-bike (1, 2, and 3), and you aren’t allowed to ride class-3 bikes on trails.
Under 16s are also forbidden from operating class-3 e-bikes, but can ride as a passenger.
Delaware
Anyone riding a class-3 e-bike has to wear a helmet in Delaware.
Under 16s are forbidden from operating class-3 e-bikes, but they can ride as passengers.
Florida
Anyone aged under 16 operating or riding as a passenger on an e-bike needs to wear a helmet (these rules cover all 3 classes).
Georgia
You have to be 15 or older to ride a class-3 e-bike in Georgia and everyone operating one, or riding as a passenger, has to wear a helmet.
You aren’t allowed to ride class-3 e-bikes on cycle paths, which are shared with pedestrians.
Idaho
There are no specific extra rules in place for Idaho.
Illinois
Anyone under the age of 16 isn’t allowed to operate a class-3 e-bike.
No e-bikes are allowed on pavements unless specified as a bike path.
Indiana
Anyone under 15 is forbidden from operating a class-3 e-bike.
People aged under 18, either operating or riding as a passenger on a class-3 e-bike, must wear a helmet.
Iowa
Anyone under the age of 16 can only be a passenger on a class-3 e-bike.
No other restrictions in Iowa.
Kansas
Anyone under the age of 16 can only be a passenger on a class-3 e-bike.
No other restrictions in Kansas.
Louisiana
Anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a class-3 e-bike must wear a helmet.
The minimum age to operate a class-3 e-bike is 12-years old.
Maryland
The minimum age to operate a class-3 e-bike is 16.
No e-bikes are allowed on pavements (across all 3 classes).
Maine
Anyone under the age of 16 can’t operate a class-2 or a class-3 e-bike.
Those aged under 16 are required to wear a helmet while riding as a passenger on all classes of e-bike.
Class-3 e-bikes aren’t allowed on many cycle paths, unless it’s attached to a highway or major road.
Michigan
Anyone under the age of 14 isn’t able to operate a class-3 e-bike, but they can ride as passengers.
Those aged under 18 operating a class-3 bike must wear a helmet.
Class-2 and Class-3 e-bikes are banned from being ridden on cycle paths, they’re only allowed on roads.
Minnesota
Anyone aged under 15 is unable to operate all classes of e-bike.
Mississippi
Anyone aged under 16 can only be a passenger on a class-3 e-bike.
Missouri
Anyone aged under 16 is forbidden from operating a class-3 e-bike, but they’re able to ride as passengers.
Nevada
No extra restrictions.
New Hampshire
The minimum age to ride a class-3 e-bike is 16 and all class-3 riders under 18 have to wear a helmet.
Class-3 e-bikes are only allowed to be ridden on roads, classes 1 and 2 can be ridden on cycle paths.
New Jersey
The minimum age to ride all classes of e-bikes is 15.
E-bikes, of all classes, aren’t allowed on pavements.
New York
Class-3 e-bikes are banned in New York.
Class-1 and 2 e-bikes are permitted without restrictions.
North Dakota
Under-18s are allowed to operate class-3 e-bikes as long as they wear a helmet.
Ohio
Everyone operating or riding as a passenger on a class-3 e-bike must wear a helmet.
Oklahoma
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike has to be 16 years old or older.
Class-3 e-bikes can only be ridden on cycle paths next to highways and major roads, they’re banned on smaller cycle paths.
South Dakota
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike must be 16 or over, however, under 16 year olds can ride as passengers.
Tennessee
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike must be 14 years old or older and every rider of a class-3 e-bike is required to wear a helmet.
E-bikes, of all classes, are forbidden on pavements.
Texas
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike must be aged over 15.
Under-15s are only allowed to ride a class-3 e-bike as passengers.
Utah
No age restrictions across all classes.
All e-bikes are allowed on cycle lanes, but banned from pavements.
Vermont
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike must be 16 or older.
However, those under 16s can ride them as passengers.
Virginia
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike must be aged 14 or older.
Everyone riding a class-3 e-bike is required to wear a helmet.
Washington State
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike must be aged 16 or older.
Under 16s are permitted to be passengers on class-3 e-bikes.
West Virginia
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike must be aged 16 or older and any passenger under 15 is required to wear a helmet.
West Virginia doesn’t have a class-2 in its classification system.
Wisconsin
Anyone operating a class-3 e-bike must be aged 16 or older.
Wyoming
No extra restrictions – all classes of e-bikes are allowed on cycle paths.
Which US states don’t use the 3-class tier system, and what are the rules there?
A number of states haven’t introduced the 3-class system for regulating e-bikes, which makes the system a little more confusing.
If you’re wondering are electric mini bikes street legal? Or are e-dirt bikes street legal in states outside the 3-class tier system? It depends on the state you’re wanting to ride in.
Here are the rules in the remaining US states…
Alaska
Anyone operating an e-bike in Alaska requires a license, which you don’t need for cycling a conventional bike.
You have to be 14 or older to be able to ride an e-bike and you won’t qualify for a licence if you’re younger than 14.
E-bikes are banned from all cycle paths and pavements.
Hawaii
Anyone owning an e-bike in Hawaii must be aged 18 or older and register with the local authorities.
If you are aged 15-17 you are able to operate an e-bike as long as someone from your household, aged over 18, has registered the bike.
Anyone under the age of 16, either operating an e-bike or as a passenger, is required to wear a helmet.
E-bikes can be ridden in all the same locations as conventional bikes, including cycle paths.
Kentucky
There are no special e-bike laws in Kentucky, and e-bikes are viewed the same as conventional bikes – so the same rules apply.
You aren’t required to wear a helmet and there are no age restrictions.
E-bikes are allowed in the same locations as normal bikes, including cycle paths and pavements.
Massachusetts
All people operating an e-bike in Massachusetts require a license and have to register the e-bike with the local authorities.
No insurance is needed if the e-bike has a maximum speed of under 40km/h.
Anyone operating an e-bike must be 16 or older and every rider requires a helmet.
E-bikes are banned from pavements and cycle paths.
Montana
E-bikes are allowed to go up to 32km/h without requiring a license, insurance, or registration.
They can also be ridden in all areas where a conventional bicycle can be ridden, including on pavements, cycle paths, and on the road.
There aren’t any age restrictions.
Nebraska
E-bikes are viewed the same as conventional bikes if they’re operated by pedals, under 750Wh in the motor department, and have a maximum speed no higher than 32km/h.
You can ride these sorts of e-bikes on roads, cycle paths, and pavements, and they don’t require any additional registration, license, or insurance.
No age limits or helmet requirements.
New Mexico
All e-bikes are classed as mopeds in New Mexico, and anyone operating one needs to have both a license and insurance.
The minimum age to ride an e-bike in the state is 15 years old.
North Carolina
E-bikes are viewed the same as conventional e-bikes if they’re operated by pedals, under 750Wh in the motor department, and have a maximum speed no higher than 32km/h.
You can ride these sorts of e-bikes on roads, cycle paths, and pavements, and they don’t require any additional registration, license, or insurance.
Oregon
E-bikes are viewed the same as conventional e-bikes if they have a motor no larger than 1000Wh and can’t go faster than 32km/h.
The e-bikes must also be pedal powered, rather than throttle activated.
Anyone operating an e-bike in Oregon must be 16 or older.
Pennsylvania
E-bikes are allowed in the same locations as conventional e-bikes if they have a motor under 750Wh, have a maximum speed no faster than 32km/h, and weigh under 45kg.
E-bikes, which fall within those parameters, are allowed on pavements, and don’t require any additional license, registration, or insurance if ridden on roads.
Anyone operating an e-bike must be 16 years old or older.
Rhode Island
E-bikes are allowed to be ridden in the state, without extra licensing or registration, if the bike has a motor under 1,491Wh, a maximum top speed of 32km/h, and it’s pedal operated.
There are no specific rules on whether e-bikes can be ridden on pavements or cycle paths.
South Carolina
E-bikes with a motor more powerful than 750Wh require a license and need to be registered with the local authorities, similar to how a moped would be classed.
E-bikes under 750Wh are still classed as standard vehicles, but don’t need to be registered or need extra licensing. Insurance is required for all e-bikes.
Washington DC
Pedal-operated e-bikes under 32km/h don’t require any extra licensing, insurance, or registration, however, those above that speed do.
Anyone operating an e-bike has to be aged 16 or older.
Final Thoughts
Riding an e-bike in the United States isn’t as straightforward as it is in some nations, but we hope our state-by-state guide has helped clear up what you can ride and where.
We would advise wearing a helmet if riding electric bikes on highways and often on many trails too.
You can read our full e-bike safety guide here, but at least now you know the answer to whether are e-bikes street legal or not.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get riding.
