The three electric bikes classes

Gone are the days when a steep road or long distances kept you from getting on the saddle of a bike. The dawning the age of electric bikes (or ebikes) has changed the way people cycle around the world. While only a few years ago riding a bike was a matter of love for the sport or a simple way to get around in sunny days, e-bikes have disrupted the transportation options in urban areas, and have become a fast, accessible, reliable and healthy alternative to the crowded public transit or the frustrating bumper-to-bumper car commute.

In the free time, age or fitness level are not a hurdle anymore for those aspiring to climb the nearest hills or to enjoy a day up and down the coast on the beach bike trail.

E-bikes sales are booming all over the world, and bike prices are going down. You can have a good and powerful e-bike with first-class components for as low as the price of Trustmade Bobcat , able to propel you up to 28 mph with its pedal assist system ( watch for local speed regulations, though! J)

Even if you are looking for a more premium type of bike with more features and additional peace of mind, like the Trustmade Panther-X, prices are still in the acceptable range.

But what exactly is an e-bike? Is there any regulation applicable to electric bikes?

Basically, an electric bike is a bicycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.). In the United States, speed of ebikes is limited to 20 mph when operated on motor power alone, but there is no limitation for when an electric bicycle is being powered by a combination of human and motor power.  This classification affects electric bikes as consumer products in regards of safety and has no effect on state traffic laws or vehicle codes.

Non-profit organization People for Bikes has created a three-class system to categorize and regulate ebikes in the United States. This classification system has been passed as legislation in 36 states, and it’s possible it will be adopted by more states in the future.

This three-class system breaks down electric bikes into three categories:

1) “Class 1 electric bicycles” are ebikes equipped with a motor that provides assistance

only when the rider is pedaling, and stops assisting pedaling when the bicycle

reaches the speed of 20 mph.

2) “Class 2 electric bicycles” are ebikes equipped with a motor or throttle that may be used

to propel the bicycle up to 20 mph without having to pedal.

3) “Class 3 electric bicycle” are ebikes equipped with a motor that provides assistance

only when the rider is pedaling, and that maxes out when the speed reaches 28 mph. Operators of Class 3 e-bikes must be 16 or older and wear a helmet.

All ebikes must come with a sticker stating what class ebike they belong to.

Electric bicycles are not subject to any licensing, registration, or insurance requirements but riders need to follow local and state traffic regulations. For example, in some states like California Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited from Class I multi-use bike paths.

If you have questions about how electric bikes work in your state, you can visit Peopleforbikes.org where you can find out additional information. For safety, we recommend helmet use at all times while riding your ebike, and the installation and use of appropriate lights and reflecting gear, even if it is not specifically required by the law.