eBike Legal Status and Classification System - USA
Be sure to check the class of the electric bike you are considering. The laws vary depending on the country you are in. In Europe, e-bikes are generally not allowed to go above 15 mph on their power-assist modes. In the United States, they can go up to 28 mph. Within the country, however, some states don’t conform to the norm.
What are the E-Bike Laws in My State? Check here!
Check out the People for Bikes website, which is a handy resource for gaining a better understanding of these, sometimes nuanced, regulations.
In general, the Classes are broken down as follows within the United States:
CLASS 1 E-BIKES
- Max speed of 20 mph
- Pedal-assist motor only
- In some areas, the motor can be no bigger than 250w
- Generally no restrictions on where they can be used in the US
CLASS 2 E-BIKES
- Max speed of 20 mph
- Pedal-assist mode or thumb throttle function
- Motor usually no greater than 750w
CLASS 3 E-BIKES
- Max speed 28 mph (often referred to as speed pedelecs)
- Pedal-assist function only (there are US states that allow throttles on class 3, check with your state)
- There are restrictions in certain States on where these can be used – always check