HomePhiladelphiaE-bike laws

E-bike laws in Philadelphia

Where you can ride, helmet and age rules, sidewalks, paths and transit, in plain English with a source for every rule. Checked Nov 1, 2026.

E-bikes in Philadelphia

Allowed

Legal if the bike is 100 lb or less, has a motor of 750 W or less, and is assisted up to 20 mph. Riders must be 16+, and no license or registration is needed.1,2

Classes

Which e-bikes are legal

Not sure which class you own? It's usually on a label on the frame.

Pedal-assist

PA uses no classes. Up to 100 lb, 750 W, assist to 20 mph, riders 16+.1,2

Throttle

Allowed on streets if it meets the PA definition. Banned on park paths as a "motorized bicycle".1,7

Faster (28 mph)

Doesn't meet PA's e-bike definition, so it's treated as a different vehicle.1

Where you can ride

Pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed on park roads and designated trails, with a 7 mph limit on trails and no riding 10 PM–6 AM. That covers Schuylkill Banks, Kelly/MLK Drive paths and Forbidden Drive. Throttle and faster e-bikes are banned on park paths.7

Helmet & age

16+ to ride. Under 12: helmet.1,2

By place

Street, path, park, sidewalk

Posted signs and park or trail rules can be stricter than what's shown here. See them on the Philadelphia 3D map.

PlaceE-bikes
StreetsAllowedYes, but not freeways.1
Bike lanesAllowedYes.1
SidewalksNot allowedNo, except riders under 12 outside business districts or where signs allow it (Phila. Code §12-808).6
Park trailsRestrictedPedal-assist e-bikes up to 20 mph on designated trails, with a 7 mph trail limit.7
Schuylkill Banks / Kelly Dr paths / Forbidden DrRestrictedPedal-assist e-bikes only. "Motorized bicycles" are banned.7

Transit

Bus, train & your bike

On transit in Philadelphia

SEPTA counts e-bikes as personal vehicles: power off before boarding, no charging. Folded e-bikes can ride any vehicle. Regional Rail takes two non-folding bikes per car, except peak Center City trips. Trolleys take folding devices only, and bus racks are for non-motorized bikes only.G1

The details

What the rules say

Philadelphia parks rules

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation defines an "E-Bicycle" as a bike whose motor engages only when you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph. These are allowed on the park roads, paths and trails designated for bikes. A "motorized bicycle," meaning one that goes faster or can run without pedaling, is banned on park paths, including Schuylkill Banks, the Kelly Drive and MLK Drive paths, and Forbidden Drive. Trails have a 7 mph limit, and there's no riding from 10 PM to 6 AM.7

The same rules ban bikes on Lincoln Drive at all times and limit bikes on Kelly Drive during weekday rush hours. Check the current signs.7

State baseline

Pennsylvania: an e-bike is a "pedalcycle with electric assist": 100 lb or less, a motor of 750 W or less, and assisted up to 20 mph. Riders must be 16+, and no license, registration or insurance is needed. Riders under 12 must wear a helmet. E-bikes can't use freeways. Trail owners decide whether e-bikes are allowed.1,2,8

Not legal advice. This is a summary of public sources, last checked Nov 1, 2026. If anything here doesn't match the official source, the official source wins. Not sure? Use our guide to checking your town's rules. No bike yet? See bike share prices in Philadelphia.

FAQ

Philadelphia e-bike questions

Are e-bikes legal in Philadelphia?

Legal if the bike is 100 lb or less, has a motor of 750 W or less, and is assisted up to 20 mph. Riders must be 16+, and no license or registration is needed.1,2

Can you ride an e-bike on the sidewalk in Philadelphia?

No, except riders under 12 outside business districts or where signs allow it (Phila. Code §12-808).6

Do you need a helmet to ride an e-bike in Philadelphia?

16+ to ride. Under 12: helmet.1,2

Where can you ride an e-bike in Philadelphia?

Pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed on park roads and designated trails, with a 7 mph limit on trails and no riding 10 PM–6 AM. That covers Schuylkill Banks, Kelly/MLK Drive paths and Forbidden Drive. Throttle and faster e-bikes are banned on park paths.7

Can you take an e-bike on transit in Philadelphia?

SEPTA counts e-bikes as personal vehicles: power off before boarding, no charging. Folded e-bikes can ride any vehicle. Regional Rail takes two non-folding bikes per car, except peak Center City trips. Trolleys take folding devices only, and bus racks are for non-motorized bikes only.G1

Sources

Where this comes from

Rules

  1. Pub 944: Pedalcycles with electric assist (PDF) PennDOT
  2. 75 Pa.C.S. §3514 (pedalcycles) PA General Assembly
  3. Fact sheet: motor-driven cycles and e-scooters (PDF) PennDOT
  4. 75 Pa.C.S. Chapter 77A (golf carts) PA General Assembly
  5. 75 Pa.C.S. §3593 (neighborhood electric vehicles) PA General Assembly
  6. Philadelphia Code §12-808 (riding on sidewalks) City of Philadelphia
  7. Parks & Recreation regulations update (PDF) Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
  8. E-bike policy for state parks and forests PA DCNR

Transit, bike share & safety

  1. Bicycles, scooters & personal vehicles SEPTA
  2. Meet the bikes Indego
  3. Micromobility: e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards (battery safety) U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
  4. E-bike and e-scooter safety NFPA
  5. Free stolen-bike registry Bike Index (nonprofit)

Sources opened and checked Nov 1, 2026 (transit sources Nov 2, 2026). Where we couldn't confirm a rule from an official source, we say so.

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