Policies & Laws

National Electric Bike Law and Policy

In recent years, electric bicycles have developed rapidly around the world and become a popular means of transportation in modern urban life. Compared with traditional bicycles, electric bicycles have obvious advantages in energy saving, environmental protection, convenience and speed, so they are favored by consumers. However, for the use of electric bicycles, different countries and regions have their own different laws and regulations. Favoto will focus on the laws and regulations on electric bicycles in each state in the United States in order to better understand the regulations and restrictions on the use of electric bicycles in the United States.

Ebike Classes

Class 1

This is an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

Class 2

This is an ebike equipped with a motor that provides assistance by using both PAS and throttle, and can reach top speeds of 20 mph.

Class 3

This is an ebike equipped with a motor that provides assistance by using both PAS and throttle, and can reach top speeds of 28 mph.

States Laws for Ebike

States using 3-level classification

As of January 2023, 40 states have adopted a three-level electric vehicle classification system to better manage and regulate the use of electric bicycles. The classification standards for Class III electric vehicles in these regions may be different, so when using electric bicycles in specific regions, it is recommended to check the local laws and regulations for detailed requirements and restrictions.

Alabama	Iowa	Nevada	Texas
Arizona	Kansas	New Hampshire	Utah
Arkansas	Louisiana	New Jersey	Vermont
California	Maine	New Mexico	Virginia
Connecticut	Maryland	New York	Washington
Delaware	Massachusetts	North Dakota	West Virginia
Georgia	Michigan	Ohio	Wisconsin
Idaho	Minnesota	Oklahoma	Wyoming
Illinois	Mississippi	South Dakota
Indiana	Missouri	Tennessee

Electric Bike Laws - State by State

Since each state in the United States has different legislation and policy systems, there are also differences in laws and regulations for electric bicycles. Knowing the differences and details of these policies can help e-bike users and potential users better understand their rights and responsibilities when riding in different states. Please refer to the following documents for details:

*Content quoted from peopleforbike. For other detailed legal provisions, please refer to peopleforbike.org