Last reviewed: October 26, 2026
eBike laws in the U.S. are set mostly by each state, and they change often. This guide summarizes the main statewide rules so you can choose the right eBike and ride it legally. It is general information, not legal advice. Cities, counties, parks and trail systems can set their own rules, so check your local laws before you ride.
The Three eBike Classes
Most states sort eBikes into three classes. Many of these states require each eBike to carry a label showing its class, top assisted speed and motor wattage.
| Class | How the motor works | Motor stops helping at |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Pedal-assist only (no throttle) | 20 mph |
| Class 2 | Throttle, with or without pedal-assist | 20 mph |
| Class 3 | Pedal-assist only (usually requires a speedometer) | 28 mph |
In most class-system states the motor must be under (or no more than) 750 watts. Some states, including New York and Massachusetts, define the classes differently, and a few states do not use classes at all. See the table below.
What Federal Law Says
Under federal law (15 U.S.C. § 2085), a "low-speed electric bicycle" has fully operable pedals, a motor of less than 750 watts, and a top speed of less than 20 mph on motor power alone. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates these as consumer products, the same way it regulates regular bicycles. Where and how you can ride is set by your state and local government.
Battery Safety Certification
Lithium-ion battery safety is the fastest-changing area of eBike law. The main standard is UL 2849, which tests the eBike's whole electrical system: battery, motor, charger and wiring. (UL 2271 covers batteries on their own.)
- California: since January 1, 2026, an eBike can't be sold or leased unless its battery has been tested by an accredited lab to a standard in UL 2849 or EN 15194. The lab's mark and the standard must be shown (SB 1271).
- New York City: eBikes sold, leased or rented in the city must be certified to UL 2849, and replacement batteries to UL 2271 (Local Law 39 of 2023).
- Federal: on June 24, 2026, the CPSC proposed a mandatory national safety standard for eBike and micromobility batteries. As of October 26, 2026, it is a proposal and not yet in effect.
Don't Modify Your eBike
Changing your eBike to go faster or produce more power, with an unlock code, app, chip, or a bigger motor or battery, can take it out of its class. In many states it then counts as a moped or motor vehicle that needs registration, a license and insurance. Several states are cracking down:
- California bans selling devices and, since 2026, apps that change an eBike's speed so it no longer meets the legal eBike definition.
- Washington and Colorado no longer treat bikes built to be easily unlocked as legal eBikes.
- Oregon will make it an offense to sell a bike as an eBike if it can be unlocked, starting January 1, 2027.
Modifying your eBike may also void its warranty and its safety certification.
eBike Laws by State
Click a state name to see the official law. "Not required" means state law does not require registration, a license or insurance for an eBike that meets the state's definition. "None in state law" means we found no statewide rule, though your city or county may have one. Child helmet laws written for regular bicycles may also apply to eBike riders.
| State | eBike classes | Registration / license | Helmet required | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | All Class 3 riders and passengers; under 16 on any bicycle | Class 3: 16 |
|
Alaska Alaska law does not define eBikes, so their legal status is unclear. Check with the Alaska DMV and your local government before riding on public roads. |
No eBike law | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
|
Arizona Some cities set their own helmet or age rules. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | None in state law |
| Arkansas | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Class 3 riders and passengers under 21 | Class 3: 16 |
|
California Since Jan. 1, 2026, eBikes can only be sold if the battery is lab-certified (see Battery Safety below). New rules on eBike labels, sales disclosures and bikes that can be unlocked take effect Jan. 1, 2027. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Under 18 on any eBike; all Class 3 riders and passengers | Class 3: 16 |
|
Colorado Bikes that can be easily modified to exceed the class limits are not legal eBikes. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Class 3 riders and passengers under 18 | Class 3: 16 |
| Connecticut | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | All riders and passengers, every class and age | Class 3: 16 |
| Delaware | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | All Class 3 riders and passengers; under 18 (bicycle helmet law) | Class 3: 16 |
|
District of Columbia A bike that goes faster than 20 mph on motor power is treated as a motor-driven cycle, which needs a license and a helmet. |
"Motorized bicycle" (motor can't exceed 20 mph) | Not required (per DC DMV) | None found for motorized bicycles | 16 (per DC DMV) |
|
Florida Since July 1, 2025, cities and counties may set their own minimum ages. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Under 16 on any eBike | None statewide |
| Georgia | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | All Class 3 riders and passengers | Class 3: 15 |
|
Hawaii Act 259 (2026). Riding an unregistered eBike on roads, sidewalks or bike facilities is not allowed. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Registration required (one-time $30) | Under 18 | Under 16: Class 2 or 3 only with direct adult supervision |
| Idaho | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | None in state law |
|
Illinois Public Act 104-0854 adds the new age limits on Jan. 1, 2027. eBikes may not be ridden on sidewalks. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16. From Jan. 1, 2027: Class 1 & 2: 15 |
| Indiana | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Class 3 riders and passengers under 18 | Class 3: 15 |
| Iowa | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16 |
|
Kansas Cities may regulate eBikes on streets and sidewalks. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16 |
|
Kentucky Kentucky law does not define eBikes, so their legal status is unclear. Check with your county clerk and local government before riding on public roads. |
No eBike law | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
| Louisiana | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Treated as a bicycle | All Class 3 riders and passengers | Class 3: 12 |
| Maine | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Under 16 on any class | Under 16: no Class 2 or 3 |
| Maryland | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Under 16 | Class 3: 16 on public roads |
|
Massachusetts Massachusetts law does not recognize Class 3 eBikes. eBikes may not be ridden on sidewalks. |
Class 1 & 2 only | Not required | 16 and under (bicycle helmet law) | None in state law |
| Michigan | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Class 3 riders and passengers under 18 | Class 3: 14 |
| Minnesota | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | 15 on any class |
| Mississippi | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16 |
| Missouri | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16 |
|
Montana Montana law treats eBikes as bicycles and does not use the class system. |
"Electrically assisted bicycle" (motor alone can't exceed 20 mph) | Not required | None in state law | None in state law |
| Nebraska | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | None in state law |
|
Nevada Some counties set their own rules. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | None in state law |
| New Hampshire | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Class 3 riders and passengers under 18 | Class 3: 16 |
|
New Jersey Under P.L.2025, c.285, "low-speed" eBikes are pedal-assist only up to 20 mph. Bikes with a throttle, or pedal-assist from 21 to 28 mph, are "motorized bicycles" and also need insurance. Riders 17 and older can use any driver's license; riders 15 and 16 need a moped license. See the NJ MVC eBike page for details. |
Own two-tier system (not Class 1/2/3) | Registration required for all eBikes. License required; insurance required for motorized bicycles | Required for all eBike riders (per NJ MVC) | 15 |
| New Mexico | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Under 18 | Class 3: 16 |
|
New York In New York, Class 3 eBikes may have a throttle, are limited to 25 mph, and are only allowed in cities of 1 million or more (New York City). In NYC, eBikes and batteries sold, leased or rented must be UL-certified (Local Law 39 of 2023). |
Class 1, 2 & 3 (NY version) | Not required | All Class 3 riders; under 14 (bicycle helmet law) | 16 on any class |
|
North Carolina Until Dec. 1, 2026, a bike faster than 20 mph on motor power may be treated as a moped, which needs registration and insurance. Session Law 2026-46 switches North Carolina to the three-class system on Dec. 1, 2026. |
Until Dec. 1, 2026: "electric assisted bicycle" (motor alone can't exceed 20 mph). From Dec. 1, 2026: Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | From Dec. 1, 2026: Class 3 riders under 18 | None for eBikes |
| North Dakota | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | None in state law |
| Ohio | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | All Class 3 riders and passengers | Class 3: 16 |
|
Oklahoma Riders under 16 may not carry a passenger on any eBike. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16 |
|
Oregon HB 4007 (2026) changes the age rules on Jan. 1, 2027, and makes it an offense to sell a bike as an eBike if it doesn't meet the eBike definition or class it's sold as, or is designed to be unlocked. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | No license required | Under 16 (bicycle helmet law) | 16 on any class. From Jan. 1, 2027: Class 1: 14; Class 2 & 3: 16 |
|
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania does not use the class system. |
"Pedalcycle with electric assist" (750W or less, 100 lb or less, motor alone up to 20 mph) | Not required | Under 12 (bicycle helmet law) | 16 on any eBike |
| Rhode Island | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Registration not required | Under 21 on any class | 16 on any eBike |
|
South Carolina South Carolina treats eBikes as bicycles and does not use the class system. |
"Electric-assist bicycle" (750W or less, motor alone under 20 mph) | Not required | None in state law | None in state law |
| South Dakota | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Class 3 riders under 18 and all Class 3 passengers | Class 3: 16 |
|
Tennessee The Class 3 minimum age rose from 14 to 16 on July 1, 2026. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | All Class 3 riders and passengers | Class 3: 16 |
| Texas | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 15 |
|
Utah HB 381 (2026) set the under-21 helmet rule on May 6, 2026, and changes the age rules again on May 5, 2027. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | None found (follows bicycle rules) | Under 21 on any class on public roads (except rented Class 1) | Under 8: not allowed. Under 14: parent or guardian supervision. Class 3: 16 |
| Vermont | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16 |
|
Virginia Cities and counties may require helmets for riders 14 and under. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | All Class 3 riders and passengers | Class 3: under 14 only with an adult (18+) supervising |
|
Washington Since June 11, 2026, a bike that can exceed 20 mph on motor power alone, or is built or sold to be easily unlocked (switch, app or software), is not a legal eBike. Some cities and counties require helmets. |
Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16 |
| West Virginia | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | Under 15 | None in state law |
| Wisconsin | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | Class 3: 16 |
| Wyoming | Class 1, 2 & 3 | Not required | None in state law | None in state law |
Where You Can Ride
Even where eBikes are legal, access to bike paths, sidewalks, trails and parks varies. Class 3 eBikes are often kept off multi-use paths, and some states and many cities ban riding on sidewalks. Check the rules posted for the road, path or trail you plan to use.
Questions?
If you're not sure which eBike class is right for where you ride, contact us before you buy and we'll help you choose. For the final word on what's legal where you live, check with your state's DMV or Department of Transportation and your local government.
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change often; we reviewed each state's laws against official sources on October 26, 2026, and some rules may have changed since then.