1
Class 1: pedal-assist, 20 mph
The motor helps only while you pedal and stops at 20 mph. Usually treated like a regular bicycle, with the widest access to paths.4
HomeBuying guide & FAQ
The e-bike buying guide
What the classes mean, what to check before you buy, and straight answers to the questions riders ask most. Sourced, and it never makes up a law.
2
Class 2: throttle, 20 mph
Can move without pedaling, up to 20 mph. Some parks and trails treat throttle bikes differently.4
3
Class 3: pedal-assist, 28 mph
Faster commuter bikes. Often limited on paths, with age minimums and helmet rules.4
Class definitions from California's Vehicle Code, which many states follow. Some states, like Pennsylvania, don't use classes. See vehicle types.
Before you buy
The 8-point checklist
What matters in the city, from the rules to the stairs up to your apartment.
Match the class to where you'll ride
Class 3 bikes (28 mph) are often kept off multi-use paths and can carry age and helmet rules. If your commute is mostly greenways, Class 1 or 2 is usually the safer bet. Check your city page first, for example Chicago or Los Angeles.4
Look for UL 2849 certification
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission points buyers to e-bikes certified to UL 2849, a standard for the bike's whole electrical system: battery, charger and motor.2
Know the federal line: 750 W, 20 mph
Federal consumer-product law defines a low-speed electric bicycle as having operable pedals, a motor under 750 W, and a top motor-only speed under 20 mph on level ground with a rider under 170 lb.1 States set the traffic rules. Machines that go faster or have more power may count as mopeds or motorcycles. See vehicle types.
Treat range claims as a best case
Hills, cold weather, heavier loads, low tire pressure and higher assist levels all cut real-world range. If a ride matters, plan on noticeably less than the box says, and check the elevation profile in our route planner.
Weigh it against your stairs and bus rack
Many e-bikes weigh 50 lb or more. Some transit bus racks have weight limits or don't take motorized bikes at all. Check the transit section on your city page, for example Los Angeles or New York City.
Brakes and tires for the speed
Faster, heavier bikes need stronger brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes and wider tires are common on commuter e-bikes. Test-ride on a hill if you can.
Budget for a real lock and register it
Set aside money for a solid U-lock or chain, record the serial number, and register the bike free with a registry such as Bike Index.5
Plan where you'll charge
Charge with the supplied charger, don't charge unattended or while you sleep, and keep batteries away from exits.2,3
FAQ
Straight answers
Short answers with links to the city pages and laws behind them. Laws change, so the official source always wins.
Do I need a license, registration or insurance for an e-bike?
In the states we cover, an e-bike that meets the state's definition is generally treated like a bicycle. Arizona's law says outright that no title, registration, license or insurance is needed (see Phoenix). Bikes that are faster or more powerful than the definition can legally be mopeds or motorcycles, which do need paperwork. Check your state's page.
Can I ride on the sidewalk?
It depends on the city, and the answer is often no. Chicago bans e-bikes from city sidewalks, and Los Angeles regulates sidewalk riding under its municipal code. Each city page has a Not on the map: sidewalks box with the cited rule. Start with Chicago or Los Angeles.
Do I need a helmet?
The rules vary a lot. California requires helmets for riders under 18 on any e-bike and for Class 3 riders of any age. New York requires them for Class 3 riders. Pennsylvania requires them for riders under 12. Your city page lists the exact rule and its source. A helmet is a good idea everywhere.
How old do you have to be?
NYC requires e-bike riders to be 16+, and Pennsylvania requires 16+ for pedal-assist e-bikes. Texas and California set minimums for Class 3 (15+ and 16+). See New York City, Pittsburgh, Houston and Los Angeles.
Can I take my e-bike on the train or bus?
Often, with conditions. NYC subways allow personal e-bikes powered off, CTA trains bar bikes at weekday rush hours, and LA Metro buses don't take motorized bikes on their racks. Every city page has a transit section linking the agency's own policy.
What's the difference between an e-bike and an e-moto?
An e-bike stays within the state's power and speed limits and has working pedals. An "e-moto" goes beyond them, often well past 28 mph, and is usually legally a moped or motorcycle. California's SB 1167 (effective Jan 1, 2027) makes it harder to sell e-motos as e-bikes. See vehicle types.
Are throttle (Class 2) e-bikes allowed on trails?
The trail owner usually decides. Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Heritage Trail allows e-bikes at up to 15 mph, but natural-surface trails in Texas can restrict any class. Look for posted signs and check the trail's managing agency.
Is it safe to charge an e-bike indoors?
Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire, especially if damaged or used with the wrong charger. Safety agencies advise using the supplied charger, not charging unattended or while asleep, unplugging when full, and keeping batteries away from exits. Stop using a battery that's hot, swollen or smells odd.2,3
Sources
Where this comes from
- 15 U.S.C. §2085: low-speed electric bicycles U.S. Code via Cornell LII
- Micromobility Information Center U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- E-bike and e-scooter safety NFPA
- Vehicle Code §312.5 (e-bike classes) California Legislature
- Free stolen-bike registry Bike Index (nonprofit)
Checked Nov 2, 2026. City-specific answers come from the sources on each city page.
Not legal advice, and not a product endorsement. We don't sell bikes or take payment for recommendations.