However, this is something that is going to start rapidly changing as states start adapting laws to meet the needs of the people. Answers to the most frequently asked questions about electric bikes and the laws surrounding them. See the complete range of our great value electric bikes . Electric Bicycle Laws in United States. Bicycle Laws / Bike Law USA. It's legally a bicycle, so you can use it wherever and however you can use a bike - except on bicycle/pedestrian paths that are posted to prohibit "motorized bicycles". Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (Amendment) Regulations 2015. By Bike Law Sep 19, 2017. Many countries have enacted electric bicycle laws to regulate the use of electric bicycles. Some areas include bikes with small combustion motors into their electric bike laws, or because they haven’t further refined their definitions, class battery-powered bikes as motorcycles or mopeds. While federal laws governing eBike product safety and standards do exist, the regulation and control of their use are left up to each state. Thankfully, most of these ambiguities are set to be eliminated by the introduction of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (Amendment) Regulations 2015 – the DfT’s most recent effort to create a clear and universal standard by bringing UK and EU regulations in-line. The Consumer Product Safety Commission requierments regarding electric bicycles are: Have pedals; Electric motor power - less then 750W; Maximum speed - 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) An electric bicycle which not brake those rules is considered as rgular bicycles and all that entails from it. The throttle ‘dilemma’ Harmonisation with EU law has had an important effect on electric bikes with ‘twist and go’ throttles that can take the bike to full speed without any pedalling at all. Electric Bikes. Only a few states currently have laws around electric bikes since it is a relatively new technology on the consumer market. The end-of-session compromise would let New York City and other cities in the state decide where exactly electric-powered vehicles are allowed, if at all. Electric bikes are subject to all the rules of the road, and additional laws governing the operation and safety of electric bicycles may be extended by state or local governments. In a move being heralded by the electric bicycle community, e-bikes are now permitted to ride in all national parks on any trails open to pedal bicycles. Countries such as the United States and Canada have federal regulations governing the safety requirements and standards of manufacture. What You Should Know About Electric Bikes and the Law. We will continue to update it … While state lawmakers moved to legalize electric scooters and e-bikes, they did so only after agreeing to a significant provision — scooter rental companies still cannot operate in Manhattan.
This e-bike article is a collaboration with several Bike Law network members, Bryan Waldman, Charlie Thomas, Kurt Holzer, and Lauri Boxer-Macomber.