Summary as of 2026-10-31
E-bike laws by state
Edited by Ricky Grenis, editor · Philadelphia · A summary of published rules, not legal advice.
Not legal advice. We summarize published rules and say how confident we are in each. Always check your state DMV and local rules.
The short version
The 3-class system (Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph; Class 2 throttle to 20 mph; Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph with speedometer) is a state-law and land-manager convention, not a federal statute for road use. Most states use this three-class system; a few use their own definitions or have no e-bike law at all. Rules about age, helmets and where you can ride vary by state, city and trail.
All states
| State | Class 3 (28 mph) | Class 3 on paths | Our confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| Alaska | No clear rule found, or sources conflict | Unclear | low · verify first |
| Arizona | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Arkansas | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| California | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| Colorado | Allowed on public roads under state law | Not allowed on bike paths unless the local authority allows it | medium · verify first |
| Connecticut | Allowed on public roads under state law | Not allowed on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| Delaware | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| District of Columbia | Allowed on public roads under state law | Unclear | low · verify first |
| Florida | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Georgia | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| Hawaii | Allowed with significant conditions (see notes) | Unclear | high · verify first |
| Idaho | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | low · verify first |
| Illinois | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| Indiana | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Iowa | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Kansas | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Kentucky | No clear rule found, or sources conflict | Unclear | low · verify first |
| Louisiana | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| Maine | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Maryland | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Massachusetts | Not defined in state law | Not applicable | medium |
| Michigan | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Minnesota | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Mississippi | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Missouri | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Montana | No clear rule found, or sources conflict | Not applicable | low · verify first |
| Nebraska | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Nevada | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| New Hampshire | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| New Jersey | Allowed with significant conditions (see notes) | Restricted on bike paths | high · verify first |
| New Mexico | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | low · verify first |
| New York | Allowed with significant conditions (see notes) | Restricted on bike paths | high |
| North Carolina | No clear rule found, or sources conflict | Not applicable | low · verify first |
| North Dakota | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Ohio | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Oklahoma | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Oregon | Allowed on public roads under state law | Unclear | high · verify first |
| Pennsylvania | No clear rule found, or sources conflict | Not applicable | medium · verify first |
| Rhode Island | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | low · verify first |
| South Carolina | No clear rule found, or sources conflict | Not applicable | medium · verify first |
| South Dakota | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Tennessee | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| Texas | Allowed on public roads under state law | Left to local rules | medium |
| Utah | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| Vermont | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Virginia | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium · verify first |
| Washington | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium |
| West Virginia | Allowed on public roads under state law | Not allowed on bike paths unless the local authority allows it | medium · verify first |
| Wisconsin | Allowed on public roads under state law | Allowed on bike paths | medium |
| Wyoming | Allowed on public roads under state law | Restricted on bike paths | medium · verify first |
Federal rules
Federal law (15 U.S.C. 2085) defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor under 750 W (1 hp) whose top speed on motor power alone is under 20 mph on level ground with a 170 lb rider. Compliant bikes are consumer products regulated by the CPSC, not motor vehicles.
The federal definition governs product safety, not where or how you may ride. States and cities set age, helmet, licensing and path rules.
- National parks: National Park Service: e-bikes are treated like bicycles, allowed only where bicycles are allowed, never in wilderness; Class 2 riders may not use the throttle alone for extended periods except on roads open to motor vehicles; superintendents decide which classes are allowed on each road or trail. Rule effective 2020-12-02 (36 CFR 4.30(i)).
- National forests: US Forest Service: not covered by Secretary's Order 3376; e-bikes are treated as motor vehicles and are NOT allowed on non-motorized trails unless specifically designated.
- BLM and Fish & Wildlife land: BLM (43 CFR 8340.0-5) and US Fish & Wildlife Service (50 CFR 27.31): e-bikes managed like traditional bicycles at the discretion of the land manager.
CPSC proposed a rule on 2026-06-24 (91 FR 38162, CPSC Docket CPSC-2025-0012, RIN 3041-AE10; notice read via govinfo): e-bike electrical systems using lithium-ion batteries would have to comply with ANSI/CAN/UL 2849:2020 with CPSC modifications (tamper-resistant enclosure, post-discharge charge test, reverse-polarity test, revised labeling), and user-replaceable battery packs with UL 2271:2023; the proposed effective date is 180 days after a final rule is published; comments closed 2026-08-24. It is a proposal, not a final rule, and no final-rule status was located. UL 2849 covers the e-bike electrical system and UL 2271 the battery; neither covers braking or handling. New York City (DCWP) and California have their own sale-certification rules (see below).
No federal e-bike tax credit was found in effect as of 2026-10-31. A refundable credit (30% up to $1,500 in earlier versions) has been proposed in Congress but not enacted in any source seen. Check congress.gov for current status.