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US e-bike law: Class 1, 2 and 3 explained
Most US states classify e-bikes into three classes based on whether the motor uses a throttle and how fast it will assist. Federal product law separately defines a low-speed electric bicycle for how the bike is sold and regulated as a consumer product.
The federal definition
Federal law (15 U.S.C. 2085), administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and a motor of less than 750 W, whose top motor-powered speed on a level surface with a 170-pound rider is less than 20 mph. A bike meeting this definition is regulated as a consumer product (a bicycle), not as a motor vehicle, at the point of sale.
This federal rule governs how e-bikes are manufactured and sold. How they may be ridden on roads and trails is set by each state, and most states have adopted a three-class system.
The three classes
A Class 1 e-bike provides assistance only when the rider is pedalling and stops assisting at 20 mph. A Class 2 e-bike has a throttle that can propel the bike without pedalling and also stops assisting at 20 mph. A Class 3 e-bike is pedal-assist only, like Class 1, but assists up to 28 mph and typically requires a speedometer.
The class system was promoted as model legislation to give states a consistent framework. A large majority of states now use it, though the exact wording and the rules attached to each class differ by state.
Where each class can ride
Access rules vary by state and locality, but a common pattern is that Class 1 and Class 2 bikes may use most bike lanes and shared paths, while Class 3 bikes, being faster, are often restricted to roads and on-street bike lanes and kept off multi-use paths. Many states set a minimum age of 16 for Class 3 and require a helmet for Class 3 riders. Always check the specific state and local rules where you ride.
| Class | Assist type | Assist cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Pedal assist only | 20 mph |
| Class 2 | Throttle and pedal assist | 20 mph |
| Class 3 | Pedal assist only (speedometer) | 28 mph |
The US three-class model. Federal low-speed electric bicycle limit: under 750 W and under 20 mph on throttle.
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Sources: US Consumer Product Safety Commission, low-speed electric bicycles (15 U.S.C. 2085) ยท PeopleForBikes, Electric Bicycle Model Legislation and the 3-class system