U.S. Electric Bike Regulations

What qualifies a bike lane as legal? Is a license required to ride an electric bike? To get answers to all of your questions, consult QuietKat's helpful guide to Class 3 Electric Bike Laws and the most recent US Electric Regulations.

Whether you're a seasoned e-biker or a newbie, every rider should be aware of their state's local and federal electric bike regulations.

Anyone thinking about buying an electric bicycle should be aware of their legal riding limits. Even seasoned e-bikers may benefit from a refresher on e-bike regulations, as several states' classifications have changed as recently as 2020.

If you're new to e-biking, you're not alone; e-bikes have grown in popularity in the United States over the last decade. E-bike popularity has outpaced electric bike regulations in the United States, leaving many states playing catch-up.

E-bikes have grown in popularity as a fun way to get outside and an environmentally friendly alternative to driving. Electric bikes are popular for commuting, recreation, and fitness. QuietKat bikes can even go off-road as high-performance electric mountain bikes. E-bikes are increasingly taking the place of ATVs as the vehicle of choice for hunting, angling, and Overlanding.

The e-bike market grew by more than 23% year on year in 2020, and the market is projected to grow even more in the next ten years. People all over the country are discovering the benefits of electric bikes to supplement their daily activities or to explore new terrain. Public Lands organizations recognize the benefits of e-bikes and are increasing riders' access to national parks, forests, and wilderness areas.

Several states in the United States are still adjusting to the rapid rise in popularity and navigating the implementation of e-bike regulations and classifications. Some states have strict laws for electric bikes, whereas in others, e-bikes lack a specific vehicle classification and are not clearly regulated.

Before you hop on your QuietKat e-bike, make sure you are aware of the current regulations in your state and wherever you intend to ride. QuietKat bikes are great for all-terrain riding and can go almost anywhere off-road vehicles can go in most states. However, if you want to ride your e-bike to work or around town, you may face a different set of rules.

Overview of U.S. electric bike regulations

Which states define an electric bicycle?

E-bike definitions and classification are becoming more common in the United States, with 44 states currently having definitions for e-bikes. State legislation typically focuses on whether e-bikes are classified as traditional bikes, mopeds, or scooters, but definitions vary by state.

The use of a board tired classification is becoming more common across the country. 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 are now divided into three standard classes.

Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Minnesota, Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington DC, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island all have their own definitions for e-bikes.

There are currently no definitions for e-bikes in eleven states or territories.

North Dakota, Missouri, New Mexico, Alabama, Massachusetts, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are among the states represented.

What are the different e-bike classifications?

Twenty-six states have enacted a three-tiered classification system, with e-bikes classified as Class 1, 2, or 3. E-bikes bridge the gap between traditional bikes and dirt bikes, and the tiered system of e-bike regulations reflects this. It distinguishes between e-bike models with different speed and power capabilities.

For recreational riders who enjoy mountain biking, hunting, or exploring the outdoors, Class 1 and 2 bikes are the most common class of e-bikes Class 3 e-bikes are typically intended to replace a moped or motorcycle and are best suited for use on city streets.

States that use the three-tiered classification have nearly identical definitions for e-bikes, as well as requirements for e-bike safety and operation.

Three-Tiered Classification:

Class 1:

An e-bike is classified as Class 1 if it has a top speed of 20 miles per hour and an electric motor that operates solely through pedaling (pedal assist).

Class 2:

If an e-bike has a throttle-actuated motor, it is classified as Class 2. When the e-bike reaches 20 miles per hour, the motor must stop assisting.

Class 3:

A Class 3 e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor that assists only when the rider pedals and should stop assisting when the e-bike reaches 28 miles per hour. Pedelec bikes are another name for Class 3 e-bikes. Class 3 is the most restricted classification, and some states impose additional safety requirements for Class 3 riders.

Is there a speed limit on e-bikes in the United States?

Do you have a strong desire for speed? Under motor power alone, the federal speed limit for e-bikes is 20 miles per hour or less.

This speed limit is also specified by the tiered classification system used by many states. The legal limit for Class 1 and 2 bikes is 20 miles per hour under that classification. Class 3 bikes can only go up to 28 miles per hour.

The federal law recognizes and allows e-bikes to travel faster when the rider uses both human pedal and motor power. Local speed limits may also apply in certain areas.

Although some states have a speed limit for electric bikes, riders should also follow local speed limits when riding on roads. Although many bikes can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, you should obey local speed 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 by state and are frequently only applicable to Class 2 or Class 3 electric bikes.

Riders must be 14 or older in eight states to ride unaccompanied at all classification levels. Alabama, Alaska, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia are among them. Riders under this age can still ride electric bikes in some states if they are supervised by an adult over the age of 18.

Six states have e-bike regulations that require riders to be at least 15 years old, and fifteen states require riders to be at least 16 years old. If an adult rides with the rider, there are some state-specific exceptions to these rules. Many states do not have an official age limit for riding, but most require riders under the age of 16 or 18 to wear helmets.

What states enforce e-bike registration?

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

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. Helmets are required for all ages and on all e-bike classes and bicycles in five states: Connecticut, Maryland, West Virginia, Massachusetts, and Louisiana.

Electric bicycle helmet laws in other states can be perplexing because they are frequently tailored to specific e-bike classes or age groups. However, 25 states do not require helmets for any type of e-bike or rider of any age.

Helmets are typically required for anyone riding a Class 3 e-bike in states that use the tiered classification system. Helmets, however, are frequently required for younger riders in other bike classes.

The majority of states that require helmets will accept bicycle helmets. Alabama, on the other hand, requires a motorcycle helmet because it considers every e-bike to be a motor-driven cycle. While helmets are not required by law in all states, QuietKat recommends them 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 laws typically apply only to riders under the age of 21, but usually only to those under the age of 14 or 16. Approximately half of the states in the United States require children and teenagers to wear helmets, though we recommend that all children wear helmets even if they are not legally required to do so.

Delaware, Florida, Maine, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Maryland, as well as Montana, require any e-bike Rider or passenger under the age of 16 to wear a helmet.

Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding an electric bicycle in Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and New Mexico.

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

What states require a license to ride an e-bike?

In states where e-bikes are classified as mopeds or scooters, licensing and registration are usually required. Alabama, Alaska, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and North Dakota currently require a license to operate an e-bike. Electric bikes are usually exempt from registration, licensing, and insurance requirements in states that use the three-tiered classification system.

Do I need insurance to ride an e-bike?

West Virginia, North Dakota, and New Mexico are the only states that require e-bike insurance. States that distinguish e-bikes from motor vehicles do not impose the insurance requirements that standard motor vehicles do.

Several states consider e-bikes to be motor vehicles similar to mopeds, necessitating the same license and registration requirements. However, e-bike insurance is not required in the majority of those states. Although driver's insurance is rarely required, you may want to consider including your electric bike in your home and contents insurance to protect against theft or damage.

Where can I use my electric bike?

Each state has its own rules regarding e-bike access, and federal land rules vary as well.

Roads, sidewalks, and bike paths

Electric bicycles are considered equal to bicycles in Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, and Vermont. As a result, e-bikes can ride on any trails or paths where bicycles are permitted. There are no specific restrictions on where e-bikes can be used in Hawaii.

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. Local governments in these states, however, have the authority to impose additional restrictions. Class 3 bikes are more commonly restricted on bike paths and sidewalks because they can travel faster, making them more suitable for road use and popular among e-bike commuters.

Alabama, Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin allow e-bikes on roads but not on sidewalks or bike paths. These regulations may be exempted in some cities or local governments.

In Florida, e-bikes are permitted on sidewalks but not on bike paths when powered solely by human power.

Where can electric mountain bikes and electric hunting bikes ride? 

Pavements are not the same as off-road areas. So, where can you ride an electric mountain bike? Electric mountain bikes can ride on any natural surface trail that is designated for both motorized and non-motorized use (eMBTs). Motorized singletrack, doubletrack, and primitive roads are examples of natural surface trails.

Riders should not, however, assume that eclectic mountain bikes are permitted everywhere traditional mountain bikes are prohibited. Singletrack access is typically regulated differently than access to paved and soft surface bike lanes or paths. People For Bikes has put together a handy eMBT ride finder with over 42,000 miles of fun routes and trails cataloged to assist riders in finding tracks.

 As enthusiasts discover the benefits of e-biking for off-road excursions, the use of e-bikes among hunters is steadily increasing. Electric bikes allow hunters and anglers to sneak into more remote areas that would otherwise be off-limits.

If you enjoy riding an electric hunting bike, you may be curious about the rules that apply and how they differ from those that apply to an ATV or a quad bike. For hunting areas, most states allow bikes in classes 1 and 2. However, only class 1 bikes are permitted in Pennsylvania. QuietKat hunting bikes are designed to go almost anywhere an ATV can go, making them ideal for hunting or Overlanding.

Electric bicycles are usually permitted in national parks where traditional bicycles are permitted. However, cyclists' access varies from one park to the next. State usage rules are complex and varied, so it's important to check your local guidelines. Riding your eMTB in wilderness areas where the local regulations are unclear is not recommended. Only ride legally and safely on designated trails.

What are the rules for electric bikes in National Forest, BLM land, and National Parks?

Until recently, most non-motorized routes on federal lands prohibited electric bikes.

However, in 2019 several agencies expanded access to e-bikes on public lands; The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation were among them. All e-bikes up to 750 watts (class 1 & class 2) can now access Federal Lands and National Parks as of August 29th, 2019.

E-bikes help the National Park Service achieve its "Healthy Parks, Healthy People" goals and have been recognized as a positive way to expand access to national parks. They are also thought to be a good way to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions in national parks.

In general, electric bikes in national parks are now permitted and in public lands where traditional bicycles are not. Both traditional bicycles and electric bikes are still prohibited in national park wilderness areas under federal law.

Bicycles are also permitted on administrative roads that are closed to public motor vehicles but open to NPS motor vehicle use. Access to these roads is determined by park superintendents, who have determined that eclectic bikes will not disturb wildlife or park resources. Some parks also allow e-bikes to ride on paths where mobility devices such as wheelchairs are permitted.

Despite expanded recreational opportunities and accessibility rules for electric bikes on public lands, they still vary by trail and e-bike class.

Riders should follow the rules of their local jurisdictions and research the rules of specific national parks and forests when planning their trips.

In which states are 1000w E-Bikes legal?

Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Virginia are the only states that allow e-bikes with a maximum power of 1000w. Only two states, Florida and Mississippi, have no maximum power limits for electric bikes.

There are high-powered e-bike motors available, ranging from 1000w to 6000w. However, most states limit power to 750w or 1000w. After 1000 watts, an electric bicycle is more likely to be classified as a moped or scooter. As a result, many states limit e-bike output to less than 1000w.

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin are among the sixteen states that limit the maximum power of e-bikes to 750w. Maryland has one of the strictest limits in the country, at 500w

Other safety considerations

If your state has no current electric bike regulations, it's worth adopting the three-tiered system for general electric bike safety. Helmets are also highly recommended for riders of all ages, even if they are not legally required in your state.

Riders of both electric and traditional bikes should be highly visible, especially if they intend to ride on busy roads. Remember that electric bikes are still relatively new, so other drivers may be unfamiliar with sharing the road with them and may struggle to judge how fast you are going.

When riding at night, we strongly advise wearing a reflective vest and using flashing headlights and tail lights. During the day, wearing bright clothing can also help you stand out from other drivers.

When riding an electric bike on the road, you must follow local traffic laws, such as stopping completely at stop signs, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, and using hand signals when turning.

With rules and regulations constantly changing, the diverse bike community as a whole must show respect for other cyclists, pedestrians, trail and road users. Keep an eye out for slower-moving vehicles or pedestrians, and remember to share trails and paths. A positive reputation will aid electric bike riders in advocating for increased access to public spaces.

Ready to ride?

E-Bike regulations are complicated, but if you've done your homework, you can ride the trails or the road with confidence, knowing you're not breaking any laws.

QuietKat bikes are ideally suited for off-road settings, where riders have less restrictions. Our bikes are street-worthy, but they're also ready for Overlanding trips. Our bikes range from class 1 to class 3, with some models offering upgrades. Our selection gives our customers the most options for finding a bike that is both trail and street legal in their state. Explore the full range now.

E-Bike definitions & classifications by state:

The definitions for each state are summarized below, although further information on state-by-state safety and e-bike rules can be found elsewhere in this article.