US Electric Bike Laws Explained
Vložit
- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @area13ebikes
Check out our bikes at area13ebikes.com/
Subscribe to our email list for ebike news, deals and more! area13ebikes.ck.page/6bada0ca5d
Protect your bike from theft or damage with Oyster Insurance
area13ebikes.com/insurance/
Want to visit in person? Find us at:
Area 13
117 Neal Street
Suite B
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Get An Ebike Class Sticker: area13ebikes.com/products/cla...
0:00 Get Ready To Understand US Ebike Regulations
1:33 What is the Federal Law for Ebikes?
4:50 What are the 3 different classes?
5:00 What is a Class 1 Ebike?
6:32 What is a Class 2 Ebike?
7:23 What is a Class 3 Ebike?
9:15 Class Notes Review
12:28 Get A Class Sticker
Want to learn even more about electric bikes?
Tune into weekly episodes for The Area 13 Ebikes Podcast!
Sign up here!: ebikepodcast.com
*********************************************************************************************
*Listen to The Area 13 Ebikes Podcast on your favorite podcast player!*
Apple Podcasts
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
TuneIn
tunein.com/podcasts/Sports--R...
Spotify
open.spotify.com/show/2a7hNkX...
Castbox
castbox.fm/app/castbox/player... - Sport
![E-bikes Rules & Regulations you MUST know…[before you get busted]](/img/n.gif)
Which Class of Ebike Do You Have?
I have a monday motorbike. I ride it on the lakefront and street.
A multi-kilowatt hot rod with ghost pedaling capability that so far hasn't bothered the police in my area. 👍
@@Zen-mp9fd Sounds fun
@@whoaitstiger Ohh sneaky
I don't have class stickers on my bikes.
This year Florida passed legislation making E-Bikes the same thing as a regular bicycle. No permit or special license required. Legal to go on any road, trail, or path designated for regular bikes, including non-motorized vehicle routes.
Thanks for that, because I also live in Florida and was curious about that.
THanks for the info! I live in FL and am considering an ebike.
Any links to this Florida law?
Until somebody gets killed by one
@@kennethcheesbrough6855 You're a joy to be around, no doubt.
When I was 13 in the ‘60s my buddies +I rode 50cc mopeds and Briggs+Stratten 2.5hp motors on diy tube frames. No license, No traffic. It was 🤩 fun, no hassles
my grandfather used to cruise Britain without a care in the world in the 60s on a 90cc engine strapped onto a pushbike. no hassle or bother from anybody and the roads were empty.
In reality law enforcement will probably never bother you,unless you are grossly violating the laws or you get in a serious accident,so ride safe and keep the rubber side down. Great video,very informative.
I have a 40mph throttle only ebike and the only cops that bothered me did so to compliment me.
@@archive8080 same most of the time they ask me where I got it 😂
We've seen tickets for nothing for scooters in Vancouver. So the VPD are lame
As I always say, only break one law at a time!
I have seen basically drunk drivers on the road, and the police just drive right next to them doing nothing
My local grocery stores are slightly down hill from me. When I'm loaded with groceries, my nearly 70 yr old behind has a little difficulty getting up the inclines. Adding pedal assist means I now maintain a regular speed. I'm better balanced, safer. I only turn it on when going up hill, so my battery lasts a very long time.
So glad your E-bike experience is working out for you :D
The literal ideal scenario for an E-Bike here, folks
I went to a council meeting dealing with the new (at the time) federal bicycle law and how it will relate to bicycle and walking trails in the area. None of the council members had ever been on those trails. They wanted to ban e-bikes from use on those trails. Because none of them had ever been on those trails they never experienced Roadies on expensive road bikes riding in groups riding a lot faster than 20 mph. I explained it was doubtful they would ride at maximum speed as that depletes the battery faster than just cruising at typical manual bicycle speed's. I then let them see a video of a group of Roadies riding past at high speed on a popular section of the trail everyone would recognize. The result was the posting of 15 mph speed limits on the trails and no longer worrying about e-bikes on the trails.
The arrogance of government is thinking they ALWAYS know how to fix things when more often than not, they F up things requiring MORE government and more tax dollars to fix
their mistakes.
We don’t fairly vote or bargain with the Gestapo.
They allow cars on the highway that can do 200 miles an hour and don’t out law them but want to outlaw e-bikes because they go faster than a pedal bike. You don’t have to use all that speed all the time, but it is nice when you need it.
They do whatever they want and then they do it in the name of safety and imaginary dangers so they can pass things without the vote of the people.
@@allgoo1990 I really don't see your point here. You may be right about family outings, but you are totally not right about anything else. He specifically stated that he showed the council a group of riders that were going past pedestrians at most dangerous speeds. More than likely even faster than an ebike could. He also stated that the council concluded that posting a speed limit of 15 Mph would help this dangerous situation. Of course, being Americans, they won't give a shit and ignore that posted limit anyway. What would be really funny to see is, the government putting up a netting system that would pop up in front of anything going faster than 15 Mph. I would even pay to see something like that. LMAO
"There are powered bicycles passing them at 30 mph (ALL THE TIME, I'd say more than half are e-bikes, many of them without pedaling, E-mopeds)).
Do you think that's safe?"
I'd say safer than 40+ Mph done by bicycle riders. It doesn't matter if you are Pedalling, motoring, coasting, or whatever. It doesn't change the fact that either way it will really injure someone the same way. You need to stop badgering a person for a legitimate comment. Probably the most legitimate and relative comment on here.
Also, have you ever seen a policeman on a bicycle trail at all? If your answer is "yes", you are lying.
Great info. I have a Class 3 and am restricted from most bike paths. In my opinion, they should set speed limits instead restricting class 3.
And the Karen police can enforce the limit?
@@macbook802 LOL
Brandon will come after you if he thinks he can get money from your fines.
Why? You do realize that you are a danger to others? You may be concerned about others safety and ride responsibly but many don't care about anything but themselves. Based on experience, bicycle riders, as a class, are the worst when it comes to "me, me, me". I enjoy riding a bicycle, but I never forget that I am less visible than other vehicles and I try not to do anything stupid.
Just do it this is the land of the free home of the brave go file a complaint and get it changed , just peddle it
Who in the hell will enforce any of these laws, with people being beaten in the streets?
California apparently lmao XD
Yep pretty much so :(
Cantaffordia will
Karen will be there to enforce!
Tickets make them money!
Is that 750w nominal or peak?
It’s so crazy we have power laws for bikes, but there are no power laws for cars. Just stick to speed laws and let us ride any power motor we want.
AMEN!!!!
It's government. It's supposed to be convoluted and overbearing, otherwise they wouldn't feel powerful.
I think it's reasonable that any e-bike that goes over 20 MPH (32 km/h) must be insured for liability and the rider must have a driver's license of any kind. Other than that, who gives a fuck about the details.
I live in Canada and the e-bike laws are a pain in the ass, and only allow you to have slow, anemic e-bikes. It sucks, and nobody that builds them gives a shit about the laws--except the cops, who will make your life living hell over it.
because classifying an electric MOTORCYCLE as a bicycle is wrong. Cars PAY taxes for roads and bridges, your bicycle does not.
no one is stopping you from going faster you just need a license plate AND you need to meet safety crash requirements which your bicycle clearly does not.
@@devilsoffspring5519 No to Driver's license requirements. It's one of the saving graces for people like me, who cannot pass driving tests due to a strange anxiety disorder when it comes to driving cars, but yet I'm adept when it comes to motorcycles (private land driven so far). Sadly you can't just get a motorcycle-only license, so I'm relegated to ebikes. Thank God they exist, small sliver of liberty left.
@@KineticSymphony Where do you live? Several states including Florida do allow for a motorcycle only license but I wasn't aware that some states (or countries) didn't allow such a thing.
Does the government have anything else more important to do rather than bothering eBike owners and manufacturers? My gosh!
It's okay to peacefully protest with violence and destruction but don't let us catch you riding an ebike unless you first beg us for permission and we decide to grant it.
Oh, and it'll cost ya.
Yeah. It's not like there's a pandemic, immigration problem and astronomical healthcare costs going on.
@@williampennjr.4448 You know, before we 'allowed' the government to take over 'health' care, we never had the country shut down... not with avian flue, polio, or even ebolla. Businesses kept on going, restaurants served food, etc. Little mom-n-pop shops are closed, but big places like Walmart, Home depot, etc are allowed to stay open, even though they held 300+ people (each with a "chance" of infecting someone) but a place that was lucky enough to hold 15 couldn't stay open, with the lower statistics of infection. Sure... seems right to me.... NOT. As my parents used to say 'Sure you can trust the Government... ask ANY Native American'. We are Apache.
Oh they do they just not doing what they should be
It's not ebikes per say most these laws have been on the books since pre 50s power assisted bicycle where viable before the car was..
Just they took gasoline
Great break down of each class! Thanks for taking the time to make this video and educate us on the lesser known details of the classes.
It makes sense that a motorized bicycle that can exceed the speed limit (25mph) should have a speedometer.
Thanks! I am a retired TIG welder, and want to make myself a comfortable e assisted bike to ride since I'm too sick to pedal my own MASH themed bike anymore. Thanks for letting me know this so I have an idea of what my motor limits are and I dont go ham on that part.
Nice decision! Just remember to get yourself an nta helmet like xnito since cpsc helmets don't protect you on ebikes
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), supercedes any state law, if you are disabled, you don't need to disclose your disability to police. You cannot drive on a freeway, or breakdown lane of a highway, but driving to a store is completely legal (the definition of electrical walking aid is extremely vague)
Most police dont even care about how fast a e-bike rider goes.
Yep that's true. I live in Chicago and I have a dual motor 3500w ebike and only once I've ever been stopped but the officer was interested in where to get a ebike like mine.
Well I live in Batavia New York and some day if I flew by them going 30 I think they would care because this is like the Dukes of Hazzard here County yeah LOL I'm waiting to be pulled over someday I think I'll just laugh
Yes. On a practical level, unless you are being reckless or someone files a complaint, most officers don't care as they have better things to do.
The Non chicken shirt cops.
@@SerPounceToebeans blah blah blah
I ride a peddle assist e-bike and I live in AZ. I ride on national and state forests trails A LOT. Happened to stop and chat with some officials with the State forest District. They were riding regular mtb's. They mentioned to me that it is illegal to ride my e bike on state forest trails. They said they felt the reason e bikes have been banned is because of ignorance of the law makers; that they make uninformed decisions. She suggested we (mtb ers) work to educate. She concluded our chat with the words, "If you ride responsibly and with care, you will be okay. Enjoy the rest of your ride." By the way, I did not know they were with the Forest District till the end of our discussion.
Thank you for educating me about the different classes of ebikes. I live in Idaho and have a SurRon and a SONDORS XS. I ride the SurRon more. I bought the XS to get a little more exercise. My only complaint about the XS is the throttle is an on/off switch. No gentle ramp up. And denial of any issue from customer service. This is my third SONDORS ebike. Never had any issues before and I’m a stockholder in both the ebike company and his electric car company so I don’t want to trash SONDORS on line but am really disappointed in customer service.
Thanks for letting me rant(gently).
Never knew their was such a thing. I swear a bunch of people jump to do something and here comes big brother with rules regulations.
Yaaaah pretty much sadly
There
E-bike riders need to respect other people who are walking or have a regular bike and the rules and laws pertain to that.
@@toddkratzer7953 ok but...I'm already not allowed to hit people while just walking...they shouldn't give a fuck about e bikes they keep people from driving which is way more dangerous and bad for everyone. OH NO HES GOING FAST ON A BIKE OOOOOO
literally BIKES!
Where did personal freedom go? Bikes aren't like cars where someone could easily seriously hurt or kill someone else.
If you do something reckless on a bike you hurt yourself mostly. Anything else is best handled by current laws as if a citizen did any other form of damage to anyone or anything.
Only thing these absolutely ridiculous and almost arbitrary laws do is discourage biking, connecting with people, getting exercise, being with nature, do harm to people who cannot afford vehicles or have committed some mistake that prevents them from driving, support pollution, support congestion, support road degradation, entrap students/young people, etc. etc. etc.
and for what grand goal?? Seriously?
Great video. Sounds like the manufacture and sell of e-bikes is going to get much trickier to avoid lawsuits from the government and consumers when they get injured at higher speed.
I have a Class 2. This video was extremely helpful. Thank you!
Interesting and quite different from rules in Denmark.
We have two classes of e-bikes:
1. Regular E-bike.
250W motor max.
Assist mode ONLY.
Topspeed 25kph (15.6mph)
2. Speed-pedelec
250w motor max.
Assist mode only.
Topspeed 45kph (28mph)
Must have front and rear lights on all times.
Must wear helmet.
Must have insurance. (if you hit a pedestrian, regular bike or regular e-bike, responsibility will automatically fall on you)
Both types of bikes can of course drive faster, just not with motor assist.
However I have yet to see any e-bike be pulled over by the police to check for anything, which is kinda sad. There are plenty of people riding around on obviously tuned e-bikes (+30mph) on bike paths in a city with tens of thousands of bike riders and it's just not safe. There was recently a case about a e-bike doing 70kph (+43mph) in a city, which is insane. Some people forget they only have bicycle brakes on their bike.
EU e bike law sucks uk needs to change over to the USA e bike law fuck 250w it should be 750w for the UK and only 250w to 500w for e scooters
I have a class 1 emtb. I ride it anywhere bikes are allowed. If a regular bike is allowed but no ebikes, then I ignore that as I would any other law that makes no sense. My road bikes both go over 30mph, so technically illegal. Another thing to ignore :)
The equivalent of California's "moped" category is "low speed motorcycle" in some states, doesn't require pedaling. Here in Wyoming, you can get a restricted motorcycle endorsement, I think, that is limited to this category (and is generally easier to qualify for).
I like the static f104 star fighter in the background
Imagine if car laws were like this.
"You aren't allowed to buy a car unless it has less than 50 horsepower and if it goes over 50, it requires a clutch and a sticker on your car that says it has a clutch."
I like this guy, but a really don't give a f--- about the law. It goes fast and looks like a bike, and Florida cops don't give a s--t.
They really don't care in Maine, you see four wheelers, going right down the middle of 202 doing the speed limit in a 50 mile an hour Zone.
Amen..
Hallelujah brudda
I live in Florida should get mine this week been waiting a month
You do understand that you have the option to watch another video if you don't care or like this guy, right?
I think the laws are most likely only intended to be enforced if people on ebikes become a problem anyways. I imagine it's mostly so there's a legal leg to stand on if someone is being dangerous or inconsiderate on a super powerful ebike. For example, there's a mixed use walking/biking lane at a college near me, and someone going 40 mph on an ebike would be a major safety concern. You could either have a speed limit and use radar to enforce it, or you could just make it illegal to ride an ebike that can go 40 mph on the trail.
Any time the government (federal or local) gets involved in anything you can pretty much count on it going to hell pretty quickly. The same thing is taking place with camera drones. If they can figure out a way to generate revenue out of it they'll milk it for all they can get out of it.
The federal and state governments have been regulating motor vehicles for over a century, brush up on your history.
yes, the "drone" regulations are even worse than ebikes
Once they sniff money exchanging hands without their getting a piece of it, the government heisters rack their brains figuring how to participate.
@@hwirtwirt4500 ??? ok....
@@hwirtwirt4500 so they've been turning the auto industry to shit for over a decade. What you said literally doesn't prove anything.
I just bought an ebike for the freedom and to save a trip or 2 locally a week in my car.Hopefully dims leave them alone--you would think folks would be happy that this is catching on.I even plan on getting a solar powered power source to charge it up.
They will just find ways to make it illegal, ticket you, c9nfiscate it and put you in jail. That's what they do with evrrything..
@@thothheartmaat2833 Its liberals doing it and i keep away from them or their cities.
That is why ,rather than modifying my Ebike,I've chosen to carry in my wallet, several different stickers, at any given time ...😎
I’m old enough to remember when America was a free country.
Yup 2010 was the good old days for sure/
Are you on of those idiots that think lawlessness equals freedom?
supershroom164 dumb as dirt they are my friend.. class 123? Morons!
I’m building a Class 8500!
Freedom baby!
✌️PT
You were never free my friend. Your perception of reality years ago was more limited!
@@supershroom164 yes
Omg I've been looking for a vid like this. Ty for the education.
Give me a break!!!! The place to go is to the DMV web site for your state. Here in CA, the DMV.CA.GOV specifically states the max legal wattage is 750W and the max speed is 28 mph. I don't even consider bike trail rules, --- no cop is going to stop anyone on a bike (except perhaps at the beach, like Newport Beach or Manhattan) and verify the class, etc. --- unless they're being reckless, and on a bike trail at crowded Newport Beach or Manhattan, you'd absolutely be reckless to ride over 20 mph (but I swear some rollerbladers do go over 20 mph). On the street, if you ever were stopped, the cop might look for some sticker, but again, only if you're speeding (pretty difficult on an ebike), and first, they won't stop you unless you violate something other than ebike laws -- like running a stop sign, red light, not wearing a helmet (YES, it's the law in CA even on a regular bike - if you're on a public street). Of course you can ride without a helmet around your trailer park all you want, but I'd recommend not crashing.....and best of all - you don't have to buy auto insurance and get a license plate and pay yearly registration fees with an ebike. But you do with a gas powered scooter........even if you're parked, or not going over 20 mph.....
I have a class 3 Cheeta like the one behind you. The laws in my region (BC Canada) allows me to ride on multiuser trails and the public roads. Max road speed under the bikes own power is 32kph (20mph). The e-bike regulation reminds the reader they must adhere to the regular rules of the road like any other bike. Thanks for the informative video.
Thanks for watching!
That way we can still get run over by cars.. good deal..
Excellent explanation on the ebike laws, Thanks! Oklahoma goes to 1000W and 30MPH, Otherwise, pretty much the same except, All ebike riders must have a drivers license! So, no-one under 16 can legally ride any ebike.
Here in Oklahoma it's a $500 fine to violate any of the very stringent e-bike laws. I'm going to look into e-moped laws tomorrow. 1st edit 10/1/22, Section 11-805.2 - Operation of Electric-Assisted Bicycles
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, operators of electric-assisted bicycles, as defined in Section 1-104 of this title, shall:
1. Possess a Class A, B, C or D license, but shall be exempt from a motorcycle endorsement;
2. Not be subject to motor vehicle liability insurance requirements only as they pertain to the operation of electric-assisted bicycles;
3. Be authorized to operate an electric-assisted bicycle wherever bicycles are authorized to be operated;
4. Be prohibited from operating an electric-assisted bicycle wherever bicycles are prohibited from operating; and
5. Wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet which meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation Standards for protective headgear for use in bicycling, provided such operator is eighteen (18) years of age or less. (no helmets for adults)
Section 1-104 - Bicycle, Electric-Assisted Bicycle, and Motorized Bicycle
A. A bicycle is a device upon which any person or persons may ride, propelled solely by human power....
B. An electric-assisted bicycle is any bicycle with:
1. Two or three wheels; and
2. Fully operative pedals for human propulsion and equipped with an electric motor:
a. with a power output not to exceed one thousand (1,000) watts,
b. incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground, and
c. incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the device at a speed of thirty (30) miles per hour or more.
An electric-assisted bicycle shall meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as set forth in federal regulations and shall operate in such a manner that the electric motor disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied.
Laws in Oklahoma are vague and hard to find! Doubtful cops know these laws at all...
28 mph is almost exactly 45 km/h, the speed limit on European speed pedelecs. I doubt that that is a coincidence.
Pedelecs? Wasn't that a Superman villain 🤔
In my younger days I used to time trial and my best time over 25 miles was 1 hour, leg power alone, that was up and down hill as well. Now add 750W to that! And no I didn't weigh 170lb= 77 kg, I was 65kg. You could probably break 30 minutes maybe, if the battery has the endurance. Now imagine downhill in a sprint if you have the gearing for it and 80+ mph is conceivable. That may seem ridiculous but I personally took my bike out past 65, it was a very long steep hill. Make it a prone three wheeler with a fairing and you'd have a rocket. It'd be quite conceivable to cruise constantly on the flat at 70+.
The reason the law on stickers requires the wattage is for multi-drive bikes. I have a Rad Runner first generation, it's a class 2. If I put a front wheel drive conversation kit on it and make it a 2 wheel drive, it would be legally a motorcycle at over 1000W. If I had a 250W bike and put a 250W second drive it could still be a class 1. It's so an officer on scene can do the math if he has to.
Interestingly enough, where I live in Canada, my ebike I bought 2 years ago would be California compliant. I made sure it was within the laws of the province I live in. It has to be 500w or less and can't have a top speed over 30 kmph (which is slightly under 20mph.) It also has to have working pedals; if it's not, then it's probably going to require a license. I don't think it's a problem, but mine can go a little bit faster: 32kmph or 20mph.
I'm in Canada my e-bike seem to go over 32km/h if set to the highest setting with pedelling I can reach 35 to 40 km depending on the surface on the road noticeable most when your on a fully charge battery but once the battery get low it go between 28 to 32
I have read the California law several times and never found any statement of "no throttle" in the text of the law. It states that class I and III ebikes must be pedaled to provide power. So if the controls require pedaling to enable the throttle this meets the law and still allows a throttle on class I and III ebikes.
Don’t worry about insane e-anything laws.. cops have important work to do.
Riding a bike is pretty low on their law enforcement agenda
That's because the laws are not lost those are codes and statues and they can change without notice from second to second so good luck trying to understand those you never will but they are not laws and you do not have to obey them unless you're a Slave they are codes and statues which are not laws
PooChY DoG amen
@@ProspectorTripp I am not a last name, first name I am not at all caps name I am not a sir and I'm not a mr. I am a man and I will correct anybody who says otherwise because if you say nothing you accept that title of slave
@@ProspectorTripp it's crazy in 35 and just knowing now what it's like to be a man I couldn't believe my ears actually having Sheriffs know that I am a man and a treat you as a man you never must fear and practice what you believe it's not for everybody but you start getting a ticket for $100 when you get a ticket for $1,000 and then you get a ticket for 1200 the extortion will never stop if you pay the first ticket they know you'll pay the next you truly will be a Slave or you can be free
Starting on 12/02/2020, we can ride e-bike in trails in Federal parks where regular bicycles are already allowed -- including class-1/2/3.
I wish this was the case the stupid amendment that was placed now states the authorized officer of that land so the BLM regional office manager is the one that either allows them or not garbage. Bend OR is where this is happening now just an FYI. Sucks bad even class 1 can’t go on any trails.
FYI - Motorcycles no longer have the distinction of being the most dangerous two-wheel conveyance per miles ridden. The highest is rental electric scooters. A Travis County study by the American Journal for Emergency Medicine showed, “There were 160 confirmed e-scooter injuries identified by the e-scooter injury investigation, with 891,121 reported miles of e-scooter travel during the study period. This produces an injury rate estimate of 180 injuries/million VMT (MVMT)". Another national study revealed that e-bikes were second, “The 115 injuries per million e-bike rides beats out the estimated 104 injuries per million motorcycle rides, 15 injuries/million bicycle rides, and eight injuries/million passenger car rides."
Thank you for the video...Have a blessed day..
We are still stuck in the dark ages here in the UK 250w, 15.5mph max no throttle just pedal assist.
Just tell them someone was bullying you and you'll get a police escort 🚨
Move to the US, problem solved.
One quibble. The California law does not ban throttles. They just can't provide assist power on Class 1 & 3 unless you're peddling. They can be used to determine the amount of assist. E-Bikes, like bicycles are supposed to obey the following rules of the road. Ride only on the far right side of the road not more than 2 wide. Can use left turn lanes to turn left. Must signal all turns and lane changes. You can use hand signals. Must obey all traffic signals and stop signs. Cannot cross a street in a cross walk unless walking your bike. Must obey one way signs unless walking your bike. I have only seen these enforced very rarely but they can be.
I used to ride my Specialized hard rock sport at up to and over 30 mph with just peddling and up to 50 mph down gravel road hills, so the laws seem a little ridiculous for a electric bike that won't even do 30 mph. It'd be like taxing Lance Armstrong for being in really good shape.
Great info! I appreciate it because I will be riding my new Cheetah all around the country. By the way, the Cheetah is FANTASTIC! It is the most comfortable bicycle I've ever had and it grabs attention like crazy! Such a great addition to your lineup! Thanks Kyle!
Yep.... love mine.... Got a Go Go Best ebike too... it's nice too
Great to know the law. Nice video. Thanks.
I used to ride a Honda Express Moped back in the 1980s and according to New York law where I am based, any "vehicle" with a 49CC engine that you DO NOT have to pedal has to be licensed, insured, and you have to carry a valid driver's license to operate it on the street!! PLUS you have to wear a helmet!!
On the other hand, back around the same time period (in the 1980s) if you owned a true "Moped" that had working pedal, you didn't need a driver's license to or a helmet to operate it on the street, as that was considered a "motorized bicycle" and you also DID NOT need insurance or registration to ride your moped on the road!!
The difference was if you have actual working pedals or not is my point!! The Honda Express I used to ride, had NO PEDALS at all, and I was required to have the bike licensed, insured and I needed to carry at least a valid driver's license to operate it and a helmet! BUT a friend of mine at the same time had a Puch moped and didn't require any of the same things I did, because it was considered a "bicycle"!
I lived in China for 3 years, owned a couple different model eScooters (no pedals, much faster than eBike) I ALMOST bought one here in the states (you can buy them online) when I got back but was paranoid about laws... so I bought a Radwagon 4 instead. It arrived last night, will be assembled today.
If I can modify my bike by installing a motor, batteries, and a throttle, it should be no one else's business unless I'm riding it on sidewalks or pedestrian pathways.
I guess the point is if someone does that with a monster motor capable of 70mph, then certain laws should apply. Here in North Carolina, they made mopeds and scooters (49cc and below) register and get a license plate and insurance. The theory being that if you use the roads, you should help pay for the roads upkeep.
@@jasona8964 License plates and insurance for a bicycle you're stupid never happing.
under federal law a pedaled bicycle CAN NOT be restricted by displacement wattage speed or subject to state regulations.🍻
Thank you for clearing all the doubts. I think the laws are quite clear and makes good sense except the wattage. Confusion between continuous and peak. Anyways, your ways of explaining stuffs is phenomenal. Keep it up. Love from India.
Very informative, thank you for your detail on class 1, 2, and 3.
Ok so following the federal laws, as a larger person who weighs roughly twice the 175lbs, I should be able to use two 750w motors an go 40mph. Right?
Do i need to follow the ebike laws during a "peaceful" protest? Which reminds me, can I mount a molotov cocktail launcher on my ebike?
baaahahhhaahh Trump 2020 !!
Stalin approves
I believe mounting a launcher is not permissible but perhaps try emptying the contents of the container over your body, ignite with an approved source of flame and run towards your target. Please let us know how this works out.
If you live in NY or LA. it's reccommended.
It's amazing how this totally unrelated topic can elicit the most moronic comments, you're an embarrassment to America.
I've got a Ecotric Rocket Super ebike with rear turn signals and a front light .....and I've adjusted it to go up to roughly 25 to 28 mph and I live n California
Hello I just find out your video and thank you for the content, it’s very informative. Also I have a question, Segway came out with eMoped C80 that I will say it classifies in the class 2 since it has pedals and a max speed of 20mph. Would you confirm if I am correct and may not need to get any insurance or registration, etc?
I guarantee you you would have to have a smog test to an electric bike in California
Just don't breathe and you'll pass with flying colors.
PooChY DoG , what about “Classical Gas”. Ha ha 😄
I never register my private property whether it is my shoes or my automobile. The only reason people do that shit is under duress and no one had cameras to document the law enforcement's crimes of involuntary servitude! Most people are so stupid and scared that they let other people tell them what to do with their own property like how dark or not their tint is! Tint being dark is not unlawful in fact it is repugnant legality and void of law!
@@Youhaverights6 Most people rather pay the $200 then get harassed. simple two sentences I am a man. who claims I Wrong? how did my license plate not being on the car injure you or cause harm to you??? NO victim NO CASE unless you volunteer. Jail is voluntary just like taxes however if you don't pay your taxes you will go to jail
@@Youhaverights6
Love the name but if you're not registering your vehicle where you live then where you live you must be the only vehicle.
thank God i live in Puerto Rico no law's on ebikes just obey basic street laws ☺
Woah! Laws are different everywhere for sure.
Yep
At least you can legally ride as fast as you want to when your fleeing all the muggers
@@mapquestHs 😂
Jaja, dale papi
That’s funny that chopper timed it perfectly I was like eh he said e bike that thing is sounding like a 2-stroke 😂
Wow great info video. I wish I would have seen this yesterday. Just bought an ebike. I will see what I get. Cheers Jeff
"California" and "law" don't belong in the same sentence anymore. Might be a good idea if you relocated your business elsewhere like everyone else. You can't prosper in california anymore.
California is the most prosperous state in the nation and its GNP exceeds that of many countries. If you content living in a trailer park in some god forsaken red state that's your problem.
@@hwirtwirt4500 saying the state that has by far the most people is the most prosperous is like saying the person with the most money is the richest. Well duh. I grew up in Orange County but moved to Florida several years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. People are evacuating CA to my state in droves, my next door neighbor moved here from Huntington Beach 2 years ago and the one across the street just arrived from San Diego last month. We have no state income tax, no violent protests and no homeless camps and both Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos both just set up humungous rocket operations down the street from me. Cali is dying and it deserves to fail.
@@ChatGPT1111 All the facts I listed are true, your personal experience is just anecdotal and doesn't change the facts. If you're happy in Florida that's great. I live there for a couple years working as a civilian contractor on Eglin AFB and enjoyed my time there but wouldn't go back except for a winter get away.
@@hwirtwirt4500 your facts have basic flaws. Go look up the word anecdotal. And GNP is only used at the ‘National’ level and you’re quoting a state. GDP (Domestic) product is most effective and only then based on a per person basis which puts CA behind NY, Alaska and even North Dakota. Eglin, in the panhandle, is the absolute worst place to judge Florida. You don’t have one city in the top 10 up there. I live in a suburb of 30,000 that has zero, nada, nilch trailer parks let alone trailers and the larger city nearby has at least a 100:1 ratio of houses to trailers, so that’s a lot of evidence to the contrary. We actually have almost completed our high speed rail system, are massively gaining transplant population and are widening all our interstates. So if we go by what we see on TV and say trailer parks, then I could use that ‘logic’ and say everyone in a blue state lives in a tent, which come to think of it, they do.
@@ChatGPT1111 Use google and become enlightened, sad that you can't figure that out on your own. California has more productivity and generates more capital than all other states and many countries.
Damn! Do I need to hire a lawyer before I ride my bike? There are so many other problems in this country, yet we have to regulate electric bikes. I'm not mad at you, I'm just mad that our country has come to this. Just found your class 4 stickers...gonna get some!
Here in Alabama I ride my ebike everywhere. Never been stopped by a cop. Have seen a lot of bikes with gas motors riding in cites. I don't thank the cops here give a crap.
I think the laws are most likely only intended to be enforced if people on ebikes become a problem. I imagine it's mostly so there's a legal leg to stand on if someone is being dangerous or inconsiderate on a super powerful ebike. For example, there's a mixed use walking/biking lane at a college near me, and someone going 40 mph on an ebike would be a major safety concern. You could either have a speed limit and use radar to enforce it, or you could just make it illegal to ride an ebike that can go 40 mph on the trail.
@@popholmes5825
Too busy chasing them Duke Boys
@@popholmes5825 gas bikes pay road tax
@@popholmes5825 yea and ebikes are technically illegal in Alabama. Just one those things not being enforceed
Excellent explanation. Thanks for your time and effort.
Thurs. May 30, 2024. This has been an on going problem with me. I have a fully electric scooter with a max speed of 25 mph. The only difference from an ebike and scooter is mine don't have pedals. Every time I've been pulled over by police in any town in NH, they all let me go cause I tell them that it's fully electric. So I called the DMV in NH and spoke to the gentleman in charge of moped and motorcycle registrations and he told me that currently there's no classification for my electric scooter. He said it's technically not an ebike, or a moped (gas powered) or motorcycle. In fact he said that he currently has a call into Legislation to see about amending the law. In my opinion an Electric Scooter is basically an ebike without pedals. I'm waiting to see if anything is is gonna be done to change that. I'm getting tired of being harassed about it. I keep telling them that I'm standing by my decision and if I am breaking the law to arrest me. When they don't, that's just proof that they don't know the law either. I feel like they are targeting me. Isn't there someone out there who's actually committing a 'REAL' crime.
As he rides away, without a helmet, on his Class 3 ebike! 😉
❤
Did you see the the Forest Service is taking comments on allowing e-bikes on bike trails through 10/26?
I live near Los Angeles. The reality is, California ebike laws are so complicated and convoluted that most people including the police do not know the difference between the classes. To most people an ebike is an ebike. The end result is that class 3 and modified class 2 bikes are being used on bike paths more and more often as electric motorcycles. Rad and Juiced now sell ebikes that resemble those old school gas minibikes. Except they have pedals which technically make them ebikes. But the seat position and frame geometry make efficient pedaling pretty impractical. The promo videos for these machines do not show much pedaling at all.
Good video... it's funny to think about how often ebikes aren't in line with the laws, like models out there that have 1000+ watt motor, not to mention the DIY builds!
Great video! Thanks to you I now know that Ohio slightly edges out California in being e-bike friendly, with no throttle verbiage in the law about e-bikes. Woo hoo.
I dot really care about the law.
I live in England and I always fly on the road more than 35+ mhp
Smart man... me either and I live here in America .. but for some dumb ass law that I didn't consent telling how fast I could go is obsurd...
Yeah they ain't going to give me any shit in Philadelphia we got people riding around in groups of hundreds riding quads and dirt bikes owning the streets...
@@Windowlesswhitevan my brother, Nephew and I ride motorized bike at nearly 40mph. We are completely ignored by the police, because we wear our helmets. That really seems to be the thing they look out for.
I live out in Nebraska(aka farm country) and nobody cares(as long as you are not under the influence of substances), because there are no Ebikes out here in the Boonies as of yet(ordering mine soon)...
Thought limit was 15.5 mph in 🇬🇧 😆
Love the F104 starfighter statue in the background great plane
In 1995 I was riding my moped in Norcross, GA on a regular street, not limited-access. Got pulled over by a cop. He asked for my driver's license. I responded I was advised you don't need one for a moped. He went around to his trunk, to his credit, and checked in this giant book of laws. We looked together and the lawbook advised no license nor registration required. All I had to have was a helmet and shoes, which I had. I think just by getting the LEO educated, I probably saved other mopedders from being hassled.
It depends on the Police Officer, and what kind of mood they are in. They're all legal once you take them above 20 miles an hour.
You said that won't they are all legal up to 19.9. All gas are illegal by epa standards, they do not have smog control.
As long as you're at less than the speed of light it's legal.
Breaking speed of sound over populated areas is illegal due to broken windows
Gravity -
It's the law
I know of a company that ships their bikes as a class 2 and labels them as such. They give you an option to unlock class 3 mode.
Great vids. Thanks for the info.
Fortunately I live in New Hampshire, where class two and three ebike laws are light years ahead of other states. They’re basically considered regular bicycles on multi use paths and roads, and require no registration or fees. Helmets are not required over the age of 16, however I choose to wear one myself. Where in neighboring Massachusetts, their ebike laws are draconian to say the least. Class two ebikes are on the same level as mopeds, requiring a drivers license, annual registration fees, and helmet for all ages. They are also prohibited from multi use paths, trails, and state parks. For a state that brags how progressive they are, green energy transportation is made expensive, difficult, and over regulated. Living on the border of the two states I have no desire to cross into Massachusetts anytime soon. I’m a bit disappointed the federal government hasn’t eased restrictions on national parks and forests, and developed nationwide reasonable ebike laws which would more encourage clean daily commutes back and forth to work, school, or everyday errands.
I also live in nh so u don't need a license or anything
What I learn is that my 1,500 w motor is illegal but atleast I have a class 2 sticker. ;)
No one knows it’s 1500 generally they don’t say on the motor so technically it can be a 500 watt
Very informative!! I checked this out to research ebike laws and you've simplified everything I'd end up finding. Along with all of the requirements, a helmet should be a "suggestion" for every class of ebike 👍
Very informative. In Maine and the town I live in Waterville we can legally use sidewalks. I found that interesting as some of the fat tire bikes weighting in at 50 plus ponds are tanks going down a skinny sidewalk and I as a pedestrian might find them intimidating. Still it's the law. Also I don't know about your state but drivers are jerks and intentionally place bike riders in sometimes very tricky situations because they feel inconvenienced. One of my classic questions is how does one determine the degree a given hill is? 25, 30 degrees etc. Never saw a hills degrees listed out in all my years on the road and have no idea how to visually judge a hills degree.
I live in Waterville too. I go to the quarry road trails to bike.
All things considered, I think we can rest assured that wearing a helmet if you are going over 28 MPH (pedaling or not) will afford safety from the law and perhaps, to your head.
wearing a helmet at any speed is a safe idea when you're on a bike
@@kasuraga It's safer on a motorcycle that can exceed 100mph wearing protective gear than on a bicycle limited to 20 while wearing only your shorts.
I’m thinking you did a good job describing a very fuzzy law. I haven’t ever been given a definition for fuzzy logic but after watching this video I think I understand both the Ebikes law and fuzzy logic. Does that sound about right ???
that's ridiculous!! I can pedal my specialized MTB jumper at 26.4 MPH sustained on flat pavement. But then I have a motorcycle license too. still is ridiculous! I think it's not about safety, it's about control.
Very nice presentation of a complex issue. More complex than it should be. Thank you!
Agreed!
Yes, nice presentation. It is complex to the point of insensibility (or nonsensibility?) In any case, the logic and intent of the regulations is difficult to follow.
I live in Bolivar Missouri nobody gives a crap about bicycle laws down here you can go as fast as you want to eat but nobody cares or you don't kill anybody have a great day
Massive "DO NOT BLOCK" sign ...🤔 "I'll film my safety and law video here!" 😂
That was an excellent presentation of some very confusing regulations! Fun with your government involvement! Thank you!
You'd have to make this as several part series to do all the laws for all 50 states for e-bikes
That would be a ton of videos!
I've been harassed two times of one of my gas 4 stoke motorized bikes. No citations yet. But one time was a little rough, on the side of the road for a half hour two officers, Frisk me twice search my bag, ran my driver's license. And we played 10,000 questions. Why this why that blah blah blah, Till I started looking at them like there are a bunch of crackheads. Then they me go, and told me not to come back to their town. I go back once in awhile.
Sounds awfull. Where did this happen?
@@DragnesiNH ever since that happened I ride mostly in Maine now. I live on the border. Maine is so chill about that kind of stuff police officers don't even give me a second look. New Hampshire they love to harass people on bicycles even once without Motors.
@@marcs4091 that's because they are looking for cash to confiscate (rob). The cops have a set amount they have to bring in and they all fish certain roads for drivers with cash.
I want to modify a 4-wheeled surrey bike to have 2 rear hub motors. Will I need to register it as a motor vehicle with a VIN number? What wattage can I use if it has 4 wheels?
Awesome video’s they’re very informational 👍🏻
Thank you for helping me to decide that I will buy a scooter long before I ever will an ebike , when I was growing up we all had bike with lawn mower engines and back then police usually would like that a kid could build something on our own ingenuity and back then we respected the police not resist them .
As a person who likes to build things myself, I find that frustrating.
The pedal bikes are often going as fast as ebikes so what's the problem? If ebikes go faster than 28 they go out on the roads and then they should have a few more mph available to keep up with the flow of traffic for safety readons.
Back then serve and protect was more than a slogan and catchphrase.
So my throttled BBSHD with a 3-speed IGH and a 52T / 22T ratio tops out at 47mph on the flat. What class would that be Kyle? ;~) BTW, my local police were so impressed they asked me to modify all of their bikes the same way! Which I did of course at a tidy profit + some new influential friends haha!
Amen pal!
Class 4?
when riding a bicycle, always assume about half the drivers of cars are drunk, or half blind, or texting, or downright malicious.
i can see the 170 statement reason. if you weigh 130 pounds you may be able to go faster that 20 mph as long as the bike slows to 20 is a 170 lb rider is riding. this makes the extra speed of the 130lb riding not their fault
If you have an electric bike that goes over 35 mph,. You will be charged and you will get either life in prison or the death sentence, for riding your bike without the proper permit..
Really?
@@imayummysteak8184 No, you won't.
Boy, do I have mixed feelings about this video.
The clarification is great.
Providing a tool for bureaucrats to refer to when planning new restrictions , taxes, regulations is not, so, good.
This could be all a 'busybody political advisor' needs to feed to a 'less than well meaning politician' to develop a new platform to "exploit".
There is just enough information in your seemingly accurate, well done, video to create a 'marketable controversy' for media or political gain.
I don't see this being a favor to your industry especially in California.
That's just my observation after more than 50 years in this world.
(I am a class 3 ebike owner not on the west coast)
For all you potential naysayers I shouldn't need to point out what has happened to the Model Aircraft hobby and Drones in the last few years thanks to the exact same reasons.
In Florida, gas engine assist on bicycles are not legal because of something a few stupid people did.
Morons
I’ve got a hillclimber front wheel with a push button throttle on a kick bike. No pedals. Sweet stand up ride,up to 15 mph . I do assist kick it up hills. A dream to ride for my 145 pounds. I even have a bike trailer to haul some stuff. The motors rated up to 300 pounds,and the trailers rated for a hundred. It’s hard to see where it fits into the pedal ,pedal free,one two three classes . That I don’t see being enforced,because nobody know how a child protective seats suppose to go yet. Each bike comes with the assurance,you can ride it. On another thought,that’s a sweet bike you have. Is it under three grand? Mine was 750 and two years later bought another one and the trailer for 850. Now I got a beautiful outing for two,solar charged for up to forty miles. Slicing air with sunshine
This was amazingly helpful. Thank you!