eBike Age Limit to Ride Electric Bike in Each State
Electric bikes have become popular worldwide. However, along with their popularity, many new laws have also been implemented. This led me to wonder if there are any age limits for riding an electric bike.
As a general rule, different states in the United States have varied age requirements. Some have no age restrictions, while others have imposed various age limits depending on the class of the electric bike being ridden.
Are There Any Age Restrictions to Riding an Electric Bike?
E-bike laws vary across different states and countries. Depending on the class of the electric bike, some states have varied age requirements. In most cases, the e-bike class that usually has age restrictions is a Class 3 e-bike, defined by its ability to reach a maximum speed of up to 28 mph (45 kph). However, there are also electric-assisted bicycles intended for younger riders, such as balance e-bikes with a very low maximum speed.
The table below displays the diverse age requirements for electric bike use in various states of the United States.
| State | Defined As | Is Helmet Required? | Is License/Registration Required? | Is Insurance Required? | Age Requirement | Road Access |
| Alabama | regulated just like traditional bikes | For riders and operators of Class 3 e-bikes; any passenger under 16 years old | No | No | Under 16 years old are not allowed to ride Class 3 e-bikes but may ride as a passenger | E-bikes are allowed on bicycle and multi-use paths |
| Alaska | motor-driven cycle | No | E-bikes do not need a license or registration but the rider or operator needs to have one | No | You must be at least 14 years old | May be ridden on roadways, paths, and sidewalks |
| Arizona | regulated just like traditional bikes; motor power must not exceed 750W | No | None for e-bikes with speeds under 25mph (40 kph); for e-bikes with speeds 25mph (40 kph), a Class M license is needed | No | None | allowed on sidewalks and bike paths |
| Arkansas | regulated just like traditional bikes | Helmets are required for riders under 21 years old | No | No | Under 16 years old are not allowed to ride a Class 3 e-bike | May be ridden on roadways, paths, and sidewalks |
| California | regulated just like traditional bikes | For Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, riders aged 17 and under need to wear a helmet; For Class 3 e-bikes, helmets are required | No | No | No age limit for Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes; Age limit of at least 16 years old to ride a Class 3 e-bike but can be a passenger | May be ridden on roadways, paths, and sidewalks; Moped e-bikes are prohibited on Class 1 and IV bike paths |
| Colorado | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 750W | For Class 3 e-bikes, helmets are required for riders under 21 years old | No | No | Riders under 16 years old are not allowed to ride Class 3 e-bikes | allowed on roads and bike lanes |
| Connecticut | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 750W | Helmets are required | No | No | Riders under 16 years old are not allowed to ride Class 3 e-bikes | Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on roads and bike lanes but Class 3 e-bikes are NOT allowed on a bicycle trail or path or multi-use trail or path. |
| Delaware | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 750W | Helmets are required for Class 3 e-bike riders | No | No | Riders under 16 years old are not allowed to operate Class 3 e-bikes | Can be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed |
| Florida | regulated just like traditional bikes | Helmets are required for riders under 16 years old | No | No | No age restriction | Allowed in bicycle paths and multi-use paths |
| Georgia | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 750W | Helmets are required for Class 3 e-bike riders | No | No | Must be at least 15 years old to ride Class 3 e-bikes | Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on roads and bike lanes but Class 3 e-bikes are NOT allowed on a bicycle trail or path or multi-use trail |
| Hawaii | low-speed electric bicycle with speed of less than 20 mph (32 kph) if powered only by the motor | Helmets are required for riders under 16 years old | E-bike owners are required to be registered and pay $30; you must be 18 years old to register | No | 15 years old can ride if an e-bike is registered to a household member | Can be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed |
| Idaho | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 750W | Helmets are required for riders under 18 years old | No | No | Must be at least 15 years old | Can be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed |
| Illinois | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 750W | Helmets are not required | Riders do not need a license/registration but the e-bike should be registered | No | Must be at least 16 years old to operate Class 3 e-bikes | allowed on bike paths but may not be ridden on sidewalks |
| Indiana | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 750W | Helmets are required for Class 3 e-bike riders and riders under 18 years old | No | No | Must be at least 15 years old to operate Class 3 e-bikes | Class 3 e-bikes are not allowed on a trail, bicycle path, or multipurpose path |
| Iowa | low-speed electric bicycle with an electric motor of less than 750W | No | No | No | Must be at least 16 years old to operate Class 3 e-bikes | allowed on bicycle or multi-use paths |
| Kansas | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 1000W | Helmets are required for riders under 18 years old | No | No | Must be at least 16 years old to operate Class 3 e-bikes | allowed on bicycle or multi-use paths |
| Kentucky | Bicycle; may not exceed 50 cc; may not exceed 30mph (48 kph) | No | No | No | None | Can be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed |
| Louisiana | regulated just like traditional bikes | Class 3 e-bike riders and passengers need to wear a helmet | No | No | Must be at least 12 years old to ride a Class 3 e-bike | allowed on bicycle lanes or multi-use paths |
| Maine | regulated just like traditional bikes; electric motor not exceeding 750W | Riders under 16 years old need to wear helmets | No | No | A person under 16 years old may not operate Class 2 and 3 e-bikes | Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on bicycle lanes or multi-use paths but Class 3 e-bikes may not be allowed on bike paths unless within the highway or roadway |
| Maryland | regulated just like traditional bikes | All riders under 16 years old are required to wear helmets | No | No | Must be at least 16 years old to ride Class 3 e-bikes | E-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks; Class 3 e-bikes are not allowed on bike paths unless adjacent to a highway or right-of-way |
| Massachusetts | Motorized bicycle as long as its maximum speed is 25 mph (40 kph) | Helmets are required | Operators must carry a license and the e-bike is subject to registration requirements | No | Must be at least 16 years old | not allowed on sidewalks or bike paths |
| Michigan | regulated just like traditional bikes with a motor of less than 750w | Helmets are required for Class 3 e-bike riders under 18 years old | No | No | Persons under 14 years old are not allowed to operate Class 3 e-bikes | Class 1 e-bikes s are allowed on bike paths and linear trails; while Class 2 or 3electric bicycles are not |
| Minnesota | regulated just like traditional bikes with a motor of less than 750w | No | No | No | People under 15 years old are not allowed to operate an electric bike | Can be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed |
| Mississippi | regulated just like traditional bikes | No | No | No | People under 16 years old are not allowed to operate a Class 3 electric bike | Electric bicycles are allowed on bicycle or multi-use paths |
| Missouri | regulated just like traditional bikes with a motor of less than 750w | Yes | No | No | People under 16 years old are not allowed to operate a Class 3 electric bike | Electric bicycles are allowed on bicycle or multi-use paths where bicycles are permitted |
| Montana | electrically assisted bicycle | No | No | No | None | allowed on sidewalks and bike paths |
| Nebraska | regulated like bicycles and may have two, three, or four wheels | No | No | No | None | allowed on sidewalks and bike paths |
| Nevada | regulated like bicycles | No | No | No | None | Allowed in places where bicycles are allowed, including streets, highways, roads, roadways, bicycle lanes, bicycle paths, and shared-use paths. |
| New Hampshire | regulated like bicycles | riders or passengers of Class 3 e-bikes under 18 years old are required to wear helmets | No | No | Riders of Class 3 e-bikes must be at least 16 years old | Allowed on bicycle or multi-use paths where bicycles are permitted |
| New Jersey | low-speed electric bicycles | Helmets are required for all riders | No | No | Riders must be at least 15 years old | Allowed on bike paths |
| New Mexico | regulated like bicycles | Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet | No | No | Riders must be at least 16 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bikes | Allowed on roadways, in bike lanes, and on bike paths |
| New York | regulated like bicycles with a motor that can’t exceed 750w | Helmets are required for 16 to 17-year-old riders and all working cyclist | No | No | Riders must be at least 16 years old | Allowed on roads with speed limits of 30 mph or less, including bike lanes |
| North Carolina | Electric-assisted bicycles with e-bike motors of not more than 750w | No | No | No | Must be at least 16 years old | allowed on sidewalks if bicycles are allowed. |
| New Dakota | Electric-assisted bicycles with e-bike motors of not more than 500w | Helmets are required for riders under 18 years old | No | No | Riders must be at least 14 years old to ride an e-bike; Riders under 18 years old cannot operate a Class 3 e-bike unless has a helmet | Allowed on all public highways and roadways, in bike lanes, and on bike paths |
| Ohio | Electric-assisted bicycles with e-bike motors of not more than 750w | Riders and passengers of Class 3 e-bikes are required to wear a helmet | No | No | Riders of Class 3 e-bikes must be at least 16 years old | allowed on bike paths |
| Oklahoma | Electric-assisted bicycles | Helmets are required for riders under 18 years old | No | No | Riders of Class 3 e-bikes must be at least 16 years old | Class 3 e-bikes are not allowed on a bicycle or multi-use path unless it is adjacent to a highway or roadway |
| Oregon | Electric-assisted bicycles with a maximum motor output of 1000w | No | No | No | Riders must be at least 16 years old | allowed on bike paths but are not allowed on sidewalks |
| Pennsylvania | pedalcycles with electric assist and motor power that will not exceed 750w | No | No | No | Riders must be at least 16 years old | e-bikes are allowed wherever bicycles or “pedalcycles” are allowed; allowed on the sidewalk, but may have restrictions |
| Rhode Island | electric motorized bicycles with a power output no greater than 1,491w | Helmets are required for riders under 16 years old | No | No | None | State law does not specifically address whether e-bikes are allowed on bike paths |
| South Carolina | “electric bicycles” are “vehicles” and are therefore subject to the requirements for “vehicles” Electric bicycles equipped with motors that have a power output of less than 750watts are specifically exempt from the definition of “moped.” | Required for riders under 18 years old | No | No | None | Allowed on roads where vehicles are allowed |
| South Dakota | regulated like bicycles with e-bike motors of less than 750w | Riders of Class 3 e-bikes under 18 years old and all passengers of Class 3 e-bikes, regardless of age, must wear a helmet | No | No | Riders of Class 3 e-bikes must be at least 16 years old | a Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycle on any bicycle path or multi-use path, unless prohibited |
| Tennessee | regulated like bicycles with e-bike motors of less than 750w | Riders and passengers of Class 3 e-bikes must wear a helmet | No | No | Anyone under 14 years old is not allowed to operate a Class 3 e-bike | Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on bike paths; Class 3 e-bikes have limited access to bike paths and are generally not permitted; e-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks |
| Texas | regulated like bicycles with e-bike motors of less than 750w | Riders under 18 years old must wear a helmet | No | No | You must be at least 15 years old to ride a Class 3 e-bike | Allowed on public roads and streets where bikes are allowed |
| Utah | regulated like bicycles with e-bike motors of not more than 750w | Riders under 18 years old must wear a helmet | No | No | You must be at least 16 years old to ride a Class 3 e-bike; Anyone under 14 years old may not operate an e-bike with a motor engaged in public | allowed on bike paths but not on sidewalks |
| Vermont | regulated like bicycles with e-bike motors of not more than 1000w | Riders under 16 years old must wear a helmet | No | No | Riders under 16 years old are not allowed to ride a Class 3 e-bike | allowed on bicycle or multi-use paths |
| Virginia | regulated like bicycles with e-bike motors of not more than 1000w | All operators and passengers of Class 3 e-bikes must wear a helmet | No | No | Operators of Class 3 e-bikes must be at least 14 years old | Allowed on bicycle lanes and multi-use paths where bicycles are permitted |
| Washington | regulated like bicycles with motors of not more than 750w | All riders under 16 years old must wear a helmet | No | No | Individuals under 16 years old may not operate a Class 3 e-bike | Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on bike paths and improved trails while Class 3 e-bikes are not |
| Washington DC | defined as a “motorized bicycle” | Helmets are required for riders under 16 years of age | No | No | Riders must be at least 16 years old | Allowed on sidewalk, off-street path, or bicycle route |
| West Virginia | regulated like bicycles | Helmets are required for operators and passengers under 15 years old | No | No | Riders must be at least 16 years old; passengers under 15 years old must be on an e-bike driven by someone of at least 18 years old | Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on bike paths, multi-use trails and single-use trails where non-electric bicycles are allowed while Class 3 e-bikes are not unless permitted |
| Wisconsin | regulated like bicycles with motor power of not more than 750w | No | No | No | You must be at least 16 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bike | Allowed on all roadways and roadway bike lanes; not permitted on sidewalks |
| Wyoming | regulated like bicycles with motor power of not more than 750w | Helmets are required for riders under 18 years old | No | No | Operators of Class 3 e-bikes must be at least 16 years old | allowed on bike paths |
Is There an Age Limit on Electric Bikes?
As a general rule, some states in the United States require a minimum age for an individual to operate an electric bike, while others do not have any age limit at all. The age requirement depends entirely on your local and state e-bike laws.
With the different age requirements, it is always advisable to check your local and state e-bike laws. Some states may have different definitions of electric bikes and various e-bike classifications. Consequently, some states may have different rules regarding e-bike handling. For instance, some may require licensing, registration, and helmets, while others do not. Additionally, some states may also have restrictions on where e-bikes are allowed to be ridden. Therefore, to avoid legal consequences, always follow your local and state regulations.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Ride an Electric Bike?
As a whole, the age requirement to ride an electric bike depends on your state and local e-bike laws. Some states may allow individuals as young as 14 years old, while others may have an age limit of 16, and some may not have an age limit at all.
As a whole, the age requirement to ride an electric bike depends on your state and local e-bike laws. Some states may allow individuals as young as 14 years old, while others may have an age limit of 16, and some may not have an age limit at all. Some states do not have an age requirement to operate Class 1 and 2 electric bikes but have an age requirement for operating a Class 3 e-bike.
Therefore, when you are planning to have an adventure with your electric bike, ensure that you have read the rules and regulations of operating an e-bike. This is very essential so you won’t have to face legal consequences.
You can check the video below for different safety tips when deciding to have an e-bike adventure.
Can a 13-Year-Old Ride an Electric Bike?
As a whole, a 13-year-old can ride an electric bike as long as your local and state e-bike laws permit you to do so. There are states in the United States that do not have an age requirement to operate an e-bike, while others may have an age limit of 14, 15, 16, or even 18.
If your local and state e-bike laws don’t have an age limit or if the limit is younger than 13, then a 13-year-old can ride an electric bike. However, always ensure you follow safety precautions. Wear protective gear, including helmets even if they’re not mandated by the state, to ensure safety.
Can a 10-Year-Old Ride an Electric Bike?
As a general rule, a 10-year-old can ride an electric bike as long as your local and state e-bike laws permit it or if this age falls within the allowable age requirements to operate an electric bike. If not, unfortunately, a 10-year-old may not be able to ride an e-bike.
Always check with your local and state laws to stay updated on e-bike regulations in your area. This way, you’ll be able to avoid legal consequences. States like Kentucky, Rhode Island, and South Carolina do not have an age requirement to operate an e-bike. When riding an e-bike as young as 10 years old, always wear protective gear, especially a helmet, when embarking on an e-bike adventure.
Keep pedaling; every turn of the wheel builds a stronger you.”-Unknown
Can a Kid Drive eBike?
On average, a kid can ride an electric bike as long as local and state e-bike laws permit it. Furthermore, if parents allow kids to operate an e-bike, it is highly advisable to provide proper guidance and monitoring, as operating e-bikes at a very young age can pose safety risks.
As parents or guardians, it is your sole responsibility to familiarize your kids with e-bike laws, proper handling and operation of e-bikes, and the importance of safe riding. Parents should assess their kids’ capability to ride an e-bike, and proper training is essential. Some parents even start training their kids at a very young age using an electric balance bike. For a list of recommended electric bikes for your kids, you can check out our article ‘Best eBike For Kids (Handy Guide for Ages 6 to 13).’
How Old Do You Have to Be to Ride an Electric Bike in California?
As a whole, there is no age requirement to ride Classes 1 and 2 electric bikes in California. For Class 3 e-bikes, an age limit of at least 16 years old is required to operate one. Individuals under 16 years old may ride as passengers.
In California, a Class 1 e-bike is defined as an e-bike that provides pedal assistance only, with a maximum speed of 20 mph (32 kph), while a Class 2 e-bike is equipped with a throttle and also has a maximum speed of 20 mph (32 kph). Conversely, a Class 3 e-bike provides pedal assistance only but can reach a maximum speed of 28 mph (45 kph). Age won’t be an issue when planning to operate an e-bike as long as the electric bike belongs to either Class 1 or 2. To learn more about California’s e-bike laws, check this.
Do You Need a License to Ride an eBike?
As a general rule, most states in the United States do not require riders to have a license to operate an e-bike, but there are still a few states that may require either a rider’s license or registration for your electric bike.
Most states in the United States consider electric bikes as regulated like bicycles. So, they generally have road regulations similar to human-powered traditional bicycles. With that, they are not subjected to insurance, registration, and licensing requirements like those of motor vehicles. However, there are still states that may require either a rider’s license or e-bike registration. For instance, in Hawaii, e-bike owners are required to be registered and pay a fee of $30. So, it is always recommended to check your state and local e-bike laws to know the details about e-bike use.
If you are undecided about which e-bike to purchase, you can visit our article ‘Best Electric Bike Brands (Ranked by Budget Level & Style)‘ for some great electric bike recommendations.
