The rise of e-biking is changing how Americans commute and recreate. While this is great news for riders, the legal landscape is constantly evolving. Knowing your electric bike’s class and your state's specific rules is vital for staying compliant and safe.
At Rize, we want to make sure your ride is worry-free. Below is the most current breakdown of the key legal differences across the 50 US states.
The Foundation: The Three-Class E-Bike System
Most states have adopted the following three-class system, which is based on the federal mandate that a low-speed e-bike motor must not exceed 750 watts (1 horsepower). Your bike's class determines where you can legally ride.
| E-Bike Class | Maximum Motor-Assisted Speed | Throttle Allowed? |
Typical Road/Trail Access
|
| Class 1 | 20 mph | No (Pedal-Assist Only) |
Roads, bike lanes, and most multi-use trails.
|
| Class 2 | 20 mph | Yes (Throttle Allowed) |
Roads, bike lanes, and many designated bike paths.
|
| Class 3 | 28 mph | No (Pedal-Assist Only) |
Roads and designated bike lanes. Often restricted on trails.
|
State-by-State Legal Requirements: At-a-Glance
While the three-class framework is common, individual state laws vary significantly regarding licensing, mandatory helmet use, and maximum motor power. Refer to this quick-reference table for the critical legal distinctions across the USA.
| State | 3-Class System Adopted? |
Max Motor Exception
|
| Alabama | Yes | 750W |
| Alaska | No | 750W |
| Arizona | Yes | 750W |
| Arkansas | Yes | 750W |
| California | Yes | 750W |
| Colorado | Yes | 750W |
| Connecticut | Yes | 750W |
| Delaware | Yes | 750W |
| Florida | Yes | 750W |
| Georgia | Yes | 750W |
| Hawaii | Yes | 750W |
| Idaho | Yes | 750W |
| Illinois | Yes | 750W |
| Indiana | Yes | 750W |
| Iowa | Yes | 750W |
| Kansas | Yes | 1000W |
| Kentucky | Yes | 750W |
| Louisiana | Yes | 750W |
| Maine | Yes | 750W |
| Maryland | Yes | 750W |
| Massachusetts | No | 750W |
| Michigan | Yes | 750W |
| Minnesota | Yes | 750W |
| Mississippi | Yes | 750W |
| Missouri | Yes | 750W |
| Montana | No | 750W |
| Nebraska | Yes | 750W |
| Nevada | Yes | 750W |
| New Hampshire | Yes | 750W |
| New Jersey | Yes | 750W |
| New Mexico | Yes | 750W |
| New York | Yes | 750W |
| North Carolina | Yes | 750W |
| North Dakota | Yes | 750W |
| Ohio | Yes | 750W |
| Oklahoma | Yes | 750W |
| Oregon | Yes | 1000W |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | 750W |
| Rhode Island | Yes | 750W |
| South Carolina | Yes | 750W |
| South Dakota | Yes | 750W |
| Tennessee | Yes | 750W |
| Texas | Yes | 750W |
| Utah | Yes | 750W |
| Vermont | Yes | 750W |
| Virginia | Yes | 750W |
| Washington | Yes | 750W |
| West Virginia | Yes | 750W |
| Wisconsin | Yes | 750W |
| Wyoming | Yes | 750W |
| D.C. | Yes | 750W |
Important Trail Access & Safety Considerations
1. The Local Authority is Final
While a state may permit your Class 1 or 2 e-bike on certain paths, local municipalities, city parks, and federal lands (National Forests, BLM) can — and often do — impose stricter bans or regulations.
Always check posted signage. Your legal authority to ride can change when you cross into a new park or county jurisdiction.
2. High-Powered E-Bikes and the Law
If your bike exceeds the 750-watt limit or assists past the legal speed limit for its class, it may be classified as a motorized vehicle (like a moped or scooter) in your state. This immediately triggers the need for a license, registration, insurance, and strict road-only usage, and will prevent you from accessing any bike trails.
3. Consolidation of Legal Information
The legislative landscape is always shifting. For the most accurate, live updates on age restrictions, insurance requirements, and links to official government statutes, we strongly recommend consulting the industry’s most respected source:
Check the Definitive E-Bike Laws by State Tracker: PeopleForBikes E-Bike Laws by State
