It can be daunting to sort through your state’s traffic laws in order to figure out electric bike laws. Here are state by state guides and resources to understand your state’s e-bike law for the road and trails, and more resources on advocating for better access in your area. These resources are pulled from PeopleForBikes.
State by State E-Bike Guides
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia (Click here for D.C.)
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
National E-Bike Law and Policy Overview
- PeopleForBikes e-bike initiative overview
- U.S. e-bike law 101
- Model e-bike legislation
- E-bike legislation FAQs
- Industry letter of support for updated e-bike legislation
- Spreadsheet comparing state e-bike laws
- National Conference of State Legislatures overview of state electric bicycle laws
E-Bike Informational Resources
- Images of e-bikes vs. mopeds, e-bike components and e-bike classification stickers
- Stories and guidance on our e-bike blog and webinars
- 2019 E-Bike Summit video recap
E-Bike Purchase Incentives
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Partial Purchase Subsidies:
- Eureka, CA: Redwood Coast Energy Authority offers a $500 e-bike rebate
- Glenwood Springs, CO: Holy Cross Energy offers a $200 e-bike rebate
- Austin, TX: Austin Energy offers a $300 e-bike rebate
- Burlington, VT: Burlington Electric Department offers a $200 e-bike rebate
- Colchester, VT: Green Mountain Power offers a $300 e-bike rebate
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Vendor-Funded Discounts:
- Boulder, CO: Discount Electric Car and Bike purchase program
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Government-Sponsored Loans:
- State of Vermont: VSECU VGreen low-interest loan
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Cash For Clunkers Programs:
- State of California: E-bike voucher program
- International Examples of Purchase Incentives For E-bikes:
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Research:
- Study on e-bike incentive programs (2019)
E-Bike Share Programs
- Vail, CO: E-bike share pilot program
- Aspen + Basalt, CO: E-bike share pilot program
- New York City, NY: CitiBike e-bike share program
- Chicago, IL: Divvy e-bike share program
Vehicles that are not Class 1, 2, or 3 Electric Bicycles
The bicycle industry created Class 1, 2, and 3 designations for Low Speed Electric Bicycles (LSEBs) to clarify and describe their respective capabilities, and to support the enactment of appropriate legislation and regulations regarding LSEB equipment and usage on transportation and recreational facilities. Class 1, 2 and 3 LSEBs are classified as “electric bicycles” by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and regulated by that agency under 16 C.F.R. Section 1512. To differentiate LSEBs from Out of Class Electric Vehicle (OCEVs), PeopleForBikes developed a policy position that outlines how OCEVs are not LSEBs and should not be labeled, marketed, or sold as LSEBs. LSEBs should not be modified by retailers or consumers to exceed the specifications of their class as manufactured. The use of OCEVs on facilities designed and designated for the use of bicycles and LSEBs may result in user conflicts and jeopardize PeopleForBikes’ ongoing efforts to promote uniform laws and gain wider acceptance and access for LSEBs.
Read the media and messaging guide for this policy here.
Some Outside Resources…
- Bikes Make Life Better’s infographic on the Rise of E-Bikes
- Faraday’s Bicycle Commuter Guide for city riding
- Outside Mag’s take on eMTBs
- Bicycling Magazine: Your E-Bike Questions Answered
- Momentum Mag’s “E-Bike Guide”
- E-bike uses for police forces