REGULATIONS OF E-BIKES IN THE UNITED STATES A POLICY REVIEW (15-4235) John MacArthur1 & Nicholas Kobel1 1 Portland State University Transportation Research and Education Center OBJECTIVES METHODOLOGY FEDERAL STATE & LOCAL OREGON MICHIGAN Through reviewing the literature and online Delineate the types of e-bikes currently resources, we revealed how people use the REGULATIONS REGULATIONS 20 mph maximum speed No definition (it’s amoped ) 1 on the market. term e-bike to help develop a normative frame- for addressing standardization. For leg- Applies to manufacture and States free to govern use and Functional pedals required License, registration required Offer an overview of e-bike regulations in islation, we researched federal, state, and first sale of e-bikes licensing of e-bikes Max output of 1000 Must outfit with turn signals 2 the U.S. at federal and state levels. municipal codes by querying legal databases and contacting state DOTs, DMVs, and state The Consumer Product and Safety Adminis- States regulate the use and licensing of e-bikes. In Oregon, electric assisted are regulat- There is no definition for e-bikes in Michigan, Consider the implications that the current police. We also contacted several federal tration (CPSC) and the National Highway Traf- This includes where they can be ridden, how ed similar to a standard . Exceptions are and they are considered . It creates 3 legal status of e-bikes creates. agencies to ensure accurate interpretation. fic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulate the powerful and fast they can go, and any other that the operator must be 16 years of age, confusion because mopeds specify a piston manufacture and first sale of e-bikes. NHTSA requirement the states enact. When states do and they are not permitted on sidewalks. The displacement of <100 CCs, and e-bikes do not cedes to CPSC’s definition oflow-speed electric not have definitions that recognize e-bikes as a City of Eugene banned the use of e-bikes on have an internal combustion . A driver’s bicycle and considers meeting the stan- unique , the existing definitions of similar off-street bicycle and pedestrian paths for 9 license, vehicle registration, turn signals, brake dard not to be motor vehicles. The standards vehicles are used, such as motorized bicycle or years; the City recently repealed the decision. light, headlamp, and a horn are all required. for low-speed electric bicycles are below: motor-driven cycle. In 24 states, e-bikes are es- What’s an e-bike? - Max speed of 20 mph sentially regulated as a bicycle. Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are similar in geometry to human-powered bicycles but have a small DISCUSSION & NEXT STEPS Some municipalities have enacted further regu- that provides pedal assistance. They allow riders to accelerate, climb hills, and - Max 750 W output lations on e-bikes, sometimes restricting use on overcome wind resistance more easily than standard bicycles. There are two main categories. Confusion at federal level Confusion at state level - Fully operable pedals certain paths. Terms and clauses used by CPSC and NHTSA for When states fail to define e-bikes, riders are left Bicycle-style electric bike -style electric bike the regulation of e-bikes have led people to be- with little guidance on how to use their bike lieve the federal law “supercedes” state laws. legally and often times face restrictions and (BSEB) small electric motor (SSEB) This is true only for manufacture and first requirements that are irrelevant. Even with powered by a battery STATES WITH E-BIKE DEFINITIONS sale, but not for use. This also creates gaps definitions, the laws are unclear. If a bicycle is a when consumers use conversion kits or when vehicle “propelled by human power,” then it is a manufacturer claims their product is not pri- also unclear whether the word “solely” must be marily for use on public thoroughfares. prepended to distinguish e-bikes from bicycles. A new class of vehicles, regulated similar to bicycles E-bikes are not quite bicycles, but they are cer- 2 would require a license or registration, and tainly not mopeds. The wide variety of e-bikes the maximum speed is set at 20 mph. Class presents the need for a framework for classi- 3 e-bikes, sometimes called speed , fication. The Bicycle Product Suppliers Associ- would have more stringent requirements. There ation released a draft classification for e-bikes is still some uncertainty about some parameters, that considers how the bike is built, use require- such as weight, size, shape, and helmets. Last- ments, and where use of e-bikes should be per- ly, policy makers must determine whether the mitted. Class 2 e-bikes would differ from Class motor can add any incremental assistance when may be assisted by 1 in that they are throttle-assisted and would the operator reaches the maximum speed. throttle or pedals not be permitted on trails. Neither Class 1 nor Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 usually functional Motor engagement Pedal-assist Throttle-assist Pedal-assist pedals Motor engagement Pedal-assist Throttle-assist Pedal-assist Motor size 750 W 750 W 750 W HAS DEFINITION Top speed with motor 20 mph 20 mph 28 mph Weight, size, shape, wheels ？ ？ ？ Bicycle-style electric bikes (BSEB) can reach The terme-bike has also been applied to Functional pedals 20 miles per hour when propelled soely by electric scooters, mopeds, and . HAS NO DEFINITION Functional pedals ✓ ✓ ✓ Age 16 16 16 the motor and have a motor of 750 W or These are called scooter-style electric bikes Current as of November 2014 License ✕ ✕ ？ less. These bikes have pedals that are meant (SSEB). The distinction between BSEB and Registration ✕ ✕ ？ Less than half of all states (22) recognize e-bikes an operator’s license to ride an e-bike, and to propel the bike with or without the help SSEB is of growing importance because Helmet ？ ？ ✓ as a unique transportation device under vehicle 13 require registration. Some states, such as of the motor, which is engaged either auto- as more people begin using e-bikes, policy Bike lanes ✓ ✓ ✓ matically (torque or cadence sensor) or with makers will have to make decisions on regu- code. In other states, e-bikes often fall under Alabama and Connecticut, require addition- Shared use paths ✓ ✓ ？ the use of a throttle. BSEBs are distinguished lations that may not serve the overall needs the definition ofmotorized bicycle and may al endorsements to operate e-bikes; in Alaska, Sidewalks ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ by their ability to be considered bicycles. of the public. require a driver’s license. 27 states require riders must obtain a -class license. Trails ✓ ✕ ✕

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