REGULATIONSIn the United States, Congress has defined a low-speed electric bicycle as any bicycle or tricycle with fully operable pedals, an electric motor not exceeding 750 W of power and a top motor-powered speed not in excess of 20 miles per hour. An electric bike or trike that meets these limitations is regarded as a bicycle [8] by Public Law 107-319.[9] This Law defines electric bicycles only for the purpose of Consumer Product Safety and does not allow for their use on roads. It is a safety criteria that manufacturers should use in building electric bicycles, which helps protect manufacturers from the threat of lawsuits from within states that attempt to legislate more stringent safety requirements.The US Dept. of Transportation also has ruled on ebikes and also has the 20 mph limit.These are Federal regulations that put control of monitoring the safety of electric bicycles into the hands of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), which supersede any state law that is more stringent, but only regarding safety equipment required on electric bicycles and not regarding whether electric bicycles are street legal. The states still decide what vehicles are allowed to use the roads in their state.The U.S. Department of Energy reports that Since [1998, when federal rules regulating equipment on these vehicles became effective], 37 states have passed legislation allowing these vehicles to be driven on roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or lower. TEA-21 and SAFETEA-LU Specify that legal ebikes, as defined above, are legal on urban bicycle trail systems getting any federal funding unless states or local entities have passed laws specifically dis-allowing electric assist bicycles. Under Federal Law, ebikes are NOT considered motor vehicles unless the state or local entity has passed a law otherwise.There is a MISCONCEPTION that when "motor vehicles" or "motorized vehicles" are disallowed by law or by signage, that this always means ebikes are illegal on trails. This is UNTRUE in many states; these terms do not include "legal low power electric assist bicycles", and can only be banned by passing a specific state or local law. (See TEA-21 Federal DOT Law.)This is our best understanding of the laws and regulations pertaining to ebikes.Consult your local officials for rules pertaining to ebikes in the areas you will ride. It is very likely that there are none. As far as we know to date, follow the same rules as bicycles. Practice bicycle etiquette and always use the pedals on bike trails and sidewalks (if bicycles are permitted). Unsafe operation may be a specific illegal or civil matter to be handled by local courts. This is not legal advice.(The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, P.L.109-59 Available from the Government Printing Office or online at www.dot.gov. Title 23, United States Code. Available from the Government Printing Office or your local library system.)
REGULATIONS
In the United States, Congress has defined a low-speed electric bicycle as any bicycle or tricycle with fully operable pedals, an electric motor not exceeding 750 W of power and a top motor-powered speed not in excess of 20 miles per hour. An electric bike or trike that meets these limitations is regarded as a bicycle [8] by Public Law 107-319.[9] This Law defines electric bicycles only for the purpose of Consumer Product Safety and does not allow for their use on roads. It is a safety criteria that manufacturers should use in building electric bicycles, which helps protect manufacturers from the threat of lawsuits from within states that attempt to legislate more stringent safety requirements.
The US Dept. of Transportation also has ruled on ebikes and also has the 20 mph limit.
These are Federal regulations that put control of monitoring the safety of electric bicycles into the hands of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), which supersede any state law that is more stringent, but only regarding safety equipment required on electric bicycles and not regarding whether electric bicycles are street legal. The states still decide what vehicles are allowed to use the roads in their state.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that Since [1998, when federal rules regulating equipment on these vehicles became effective], 37 states have passed legislation allowing these vehicles to be driven on roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or lower.
TEA-21 and SAFETEA-LU Specify that legal ebikes, as defined above, are legal on urban bicycle trail systems getting any federal funding unless states or local entities have passed laws specifically dis-allowing electric assist bicycles. Under Federal Law, ebikes are NOT considered motor vehicles unless the state or local entity has passed a law otherwise.
There is a MISCONCEPTION that when "motor vehicles" or "motorized vehicles" are disallowed by law or by signage, that this always means ebikes are illegal on trails. This is UNTRUE in many states; these terms do not include "legal low power electric assist bicycles", and can only be banned by passing a specific state or local law. (See TEA-21 Federal DOT Law.)
This is our best understanding of the laws and regulations pertaining to ebikes.Consult your local officials for rules pertaining to ebikes in the areas you will ride. It is very likely that there are none. As far as we know to date, follow the same rules as bicycles. Practice bicycle etiquette and always use the pedals on bike trails and sidewalks (if bicycles are permitted). Unsafe operation may be a specific illegal or civil matter to be handled by local courts. This is not legal advice.
(The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, P.L.109-59 Available from the Government Printing Office or online at www.dot.gov. Title 23, United States Code. Available from the Government Printing Office or your local library system.)