State Requirements For Use (Electric Bike Law By State)
While Federal law governs consumer product regulations for "low speed electric bicycles", as with motor vehicles and bicycles, regulation of how these products are used on public streets is subject to state vehicle codes. There is significant variation from state to state, as summarized below.
Comparison of state rules and regulations[edit]
- Identity: How exactly does legislation identify the electric bicycle?
- Type: How does the law define vehicle type?
- Max Speed: Maximum speed when powered solely by the motor.
- Max Power: Maximum motor power, or engine size, permitted.
- Helmet: Is usage of a helmet mandatory?
- Minimum Age: Operator's minimum age.
- Driver's License: Is a license or endorsement required for the driver?
| State | Identity | Type | Max speed (mph) | Max power | Helmet | Min age | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Motor-driven cycle | Motorcycle | None | 150 cc | Motorcycle helmet required | 14 | Yes, M class |
| Alaska | Motor-driven cycle | Motorcycle | None | 50 cc | 14 | Yes, M class | |
| Arizona | Motorized electric bicycle or tricycle | Bicycle | 20 | 48 cc | No | None | No |
| Arkansas | Motorized bicycle | Bicycle | None | 50 cc | Yes | 10 | Yes |
| California | Motorized Bicycle | Bicycle | 20 | 1,000 W | Yes | 16 | No |
| Colorado | Electrical assisted bicycle | Bicycle | 20 | 750 W | No | None | No |
| Connecticut | Bicycle with helper motor | 40 | 2.0 bhp (1.5 kW) or 50 cc | yes | 15 | yes | |
| Delaware | Bicycle | Bicycle | 20 | <750 watts | Under 16 | ||
| District of Columbia | Motorized bicycle | 35 | 1.5 hp (1.1 kW) or 50 cc | 18 | Yes | ||
| Florida | Electric-assist bicycle | Bicycle | 20 | None | No | 16 | No |
| Georgia | Electric bicycle | Bicycle | 20 | 1,000 W | Under 16 | no | |
| Hawaii | Moped | 30 | 2 hp | No | 15 | Yes | |
| Idaho | |||||||
| Illinois | Low‑speed bicycle | Bicycle (625 ILCS 5/11‑1516) | 20 | None | No | 16 | No |
| Indiana | |||||||
| Iowa | Electric Bicycle | Bicycle | 20, unless pedaling | 750 watts | No | None | No |
| Kansas | |||||||
| Kentucky | Motorized bicycle | Moped | 30 | 2.0 brake hp or 50 cc | no | 16 | yes |
| Louisiana | |||||||
| Maine | Motorized bicycle or tricycle | 25 | 1.5 break hp | yes | |||
| Maryland | Moped | 30 | 1.5 brake hp (1.1 kW) or 50 cc | yes | yes | ||
| Massachusetts | Motorized bicycle | 25 | 50 cc | Yes | 16 | Yes | |
| Michigan | Moped | 30 | 100 cc | Motorcycle helmet required | 16 | Yes | |
| Minnesota | Electric-Assisted Bicycle | 20 | 1000w | No | 15 | No | |
| Mississippi | Bicycle with a motor attached | Bicycle | None | None | No | None | No |
| Missouri | |||||||
| Montana | Bicycle | Bicycle
Definition 61-8-102(2)(b)(ii) |
30 | 2.0 bhp and <=50cc | No | ||
| Nebraska | Moped | Motorized Bicycle with Pedals | 30 | 50cc or 2 bhp, whichever is less | Yes | Yes | |
| Nevada | |||||||
| New Hampshire | Low-Speed Electric Bicycle | Bicycle | 20 | 750 watts | Required Under 16 | 14 | no |
| New Jersey | |||||||
| New Mexico | |||||||
| New York | Illegal | ||||||
| North Carolina | |||||||
| North Dakota | |||||||
| Ohio | |||||||
| Oklahoma | |||||||
| Oregon | Electric assisted bicycle | Bicycle | 20 | 1000 W | Under 16 | 16 | No |
| Pennsylvania | Pedalcycle with electric assist | Bicycle | 20 | 750 W | No | 16 | No |
| Rhode Island | |||||||
| South Carolina | |||||||
| South Dakota | |||||||
| Tennessee | 30 | Yes | 14 (restricted) | Yes | |||
| Texas | Electric bicycle | Bicycle | 20 | None | No | None | No |
| Utah | |||||||
| Vermont | |||||||
| Virginia | |||||||
| Washington | |||||||
| West Virginia | |||||||
| Wisconsin | |||||||
| Wyoming |
*Source: Wikipedia.com