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As ebikes become more popular and commonplace in the United States, we understand that there might be some confusion around ebike laws throughout the country. Ebike laws vary by individual state and jurisdiction and it is a multi-layered and complex subject that can be intimidating to newcomers. As experts in the ebike industry, we want to help everyone better understand ebike laws and how it differs depending on where you live in the US. We hope to clear up some confusion with the information in this blog.
The most frequent question we get asked is:how are ebikes classified and how do they differ in each state. The first question is much easier to answer than the second one.
There are three classes of ebikes that were established by People for Bikes based on important factors such as motor, pedal assistance, wattage, and operational rules.
The initiative to create a uniform ebike classification throughout the country was spearheaded by People For Bikes, a non-profit organization that educates and advocates for bike safety and bike infrastructure throughout the country. In 2015, they launched a national campaign to pass ebike legislation in all 50 states. Passing sensible ebike laws are beneficial to ebike access, it builds communities of like-minded individuals to find alternative transportation solutions, encourages people to drive less motor vehicles, reduce carbon emissions, and is good for local businesses.
The end goal for People For Bikes is that all classes of e-bikes are defined in every state with similar access to the road and shared bike infrastructure. This is accomplished by implementing four main objectives:
However, the issue gets more complicated because not all states are on the same page with this classification. From People for Bikes:“In many states, e-bikes lack a specific vehicle classification and it is unclear how they are regulated. They may be interpreted to fall within terms primarily aimed at combustion engine vehicles such as mopeds or scooters. Our goal is to clearly define e-bikes and provide sensible roles for their use.”
People for Bikes has made significant progress. At the time of this writing,“Nearly 30 states have incorporated e-bikes into their traffic codes and regulated them similarly to traditional bicycles. However, approximately 20 states still have outdated laws that lack a specific classification for electric bicycles.”
Ebike use is further complicated by electric mountain bikes (eMTB) because trail use varies by the fact that you could be riding on federal, state, county, or even privately owned property. We highly recommend that you check with local authorities to make sure that you are not violating any land use while riding your eMTB. Generally speaking, any natural open trail that is available to motorized and non-motorized vehicles are also open to electric mountain bikes. As a general rule, do not ride on roads where the rules are unclear. Practice good citizenship and be stewards of the trails by respecting trail rules and regulations as they can change frequently.
In general, if you are unsure about the ebike laws where you live, we highly recommend that you check with your state, city, and local jurisdictions. Don’t be surprised if city officials or local law enforcement officers are uncertain themselves. This is because ebike laws are generally not top of mind to law enforcement and officials.
We are blessed to be a California-based company where the ebike laws are more clearly defined as a model legislation state, but many other states are not as fortunate. One state, in particular, New York, has been in the news lately because ebike laws there have been changing at a frequent and rapid pace. In June 2019, the New York state senate passed a bill legalizing ebikes and e-scooters by an overwhelming majority. However, in December 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo vetoed that bill. As it stands now, here is where the ebike law in the state of New York stands:
We highly recommend that you visit the People For Bikes website to keep up with the latest news on ebike laws. To help you decide which ebike is appropriate for you, we’ve put together our best-selling ebikes and their respective classification. All of our ebikes have Class decals on them to help you (and the officials in your area) identify their appropriate road and trail use.
Our customer support team is more than happy to answer any questions you may have about ebike classes and will help you find the perfect ebike that fits your style of riding. You can contact our support team at
info@aventon.com or by phone at 866-300-3311.
Enjoy safe riding!
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