If you consider taking up an exciting new activity like riding electric bikes, there are many questions you may have given its recent rise in popularity.
E-bikes are fantastic since the entire family can use them. Moreover, they serve practical purposes just as well as being enjoyable and great for leisure. Thus, this may raise the questions of “do you need a license to operate an e-bike or not?,” “do these rules differ state by state?,” and other related concerns.
Before investing in an e-bike, be sure you and your family will be able to enjoy your new purchase. Read on to learn more!
What Regulations Are There?
The laws haven’t necessarily kept up with the reality that e-bikes are gaining popularity quickly across all states. Therefore, it makes sense that individuals thinking about purchasing an e-bike would have concerns about any age restrictions on e-bike use as well as licensing requirements.
At the end of the day, since e-bike laws are still developing, it is always advisable to verify the most recent regulations in your state or municipality.
Aside from licensing concerns, e-bike owners should be aware of all pertinent rules they must follow, such as where they are allowed to ride their bike, whether helmets are necessary, and how fast they are permitted to go while traveling.
Additionally, most states have a minimum age requirement of 14 or 16 years old for e-bike riders.
Even so, the definition of an electric bike, which we will now go into more detail on, is at the heart of state laws governing whether or not users need a license to ride an e-bike.
How is an E-bike Defined?
How do regulators today distinguish an e-bike from conventional two-wheeled vehicles like a moped or motorcycle as more vehicles adopt electric power?
It’s crucial to comprehend this definition because it affects the laws and regulations that are placed on e-bike riders.
E-bikes are generally referred to as “low-speed electric bicycles” by Congress, which are two or three-wheeled vehicles with fully functional pedals, an electric motor of no more than 750 watts, and a top speed on a paved surface of no more than 20 mph. Given this, Congress stated that they should not be treated as motor vehicles and instead fall under the Department of Product Safety Commission.
While some states have created their own definitions for what constitutes an e-bike and when it’s considered a motor vehicle, many states employing a three-tiered system to define e-bikes and what laws they must abide by based on how quickly they can travel or how much power they have. Let’s look at the states that presently require e-bike riders to possess a license.
Which States Require an E-Bike License?
As we’ve already mentioned, e-bikes will be subject to the laws and regulations of each state. Some states treat e-bikes similarly to conventional pedal bikes, so using them doesn’t necessitate a license.
However, some states treat electric bikes similarly to mopeds or other small electric vehicles, in which case owners are required to have a license and register their vehicles.
So in which states is a license required to operate an e-bike? Here is a current list of the states that, according to their definition of an e-bike, demand some kind of licensing and/or registration:
You might wonder why some states require any kind of licensing at all when, as you can see, there is no federal requirement for owners of e-bikes to register their bikes.
Every state has its own justifications for the legislation, but it’s likely that many are aware that e-bikes share the road with other vehicles, so they want users to be fully aware of the laws that apply to roads to maximize safety.
Final Thoughts on E-Bike Rider Licensing Requirements
No matter where you are in the country, it is advisable to stay informed about local e-bike laws to ensure that you are obeying all applicable laws when you are on the road. Make sure you have the right kind of licensing or registration required to legally operate your e-bike, especially if you live in one of the states mentioned above.
