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State baselines

State law sets the floor, and cities, parks and trail owners can add their own rules on top. These short summaries support our city guides.

Last checked Nov 1, 2026Not legal advice

NY

New York

New York State: e-bikes come in Classes 1–3. Class 3 (up to 25 mph) is allowed only in cities with a population of 1 million or more, such as NYC. E-scooters top out at 15 mph. Local governments can add their own rules, and sidewalk riding is banned unless a local law allows it.5,7

City guides: New York City

Sources
  1. E-bikes in NYC — NYC DOT
  2. Speed limits for e-bikes, e-scooters and pedal-assist commercial bicycles (final rule) — NYC Rules
  3. E-bikes and e-scooters in parks — NYC Parks
  4. Park advisories — Hudson River Park Trust
  5. Electric scooters, bicycles and other unregistered vehicles — NYS DMV
  6. Attorney General reminds consumers and businesses of e-bike and e-scooter safety laws (2026) — NY Attorney General
  7. Vehicle & Traffic Law §1242 — NY State Senate

CA

California

California: e-bike classes are defined in Vehicle Code §312.5. Class 3 riders must be 16+ and wear a helmet, and riders under 18 must wear a helmet on any e-bike.1,2 Motorized scooter rules are in §21235.3

City guides: Los Angeles

Sources
  1. Vehicle Code §312.5 (e-bike classes) — California Legislature
  2. Motorcycles and similar vehicles (e-bikes, scooters) — California Highway Patrol
  3. Vehicle Code §21235 (motorized scooters) — California Legislature
  4. Vehicle Code §21115 (golf cart local designation) — California Legislature
  5. 7.045 Golf carts (VC §§345, 21115, 21115.1, 21716) — California DMV
  6. Vehicle Code §21260 (low-speed vehicles) — California Legislature
  7. LAMC §56.15 (bicycle riding: sidewalks) — City of Los Angeles
  8. Shared mobility / micromobility program — LADOT
  9. Newsom signs e-bike safety laws (AB 2346 and others) — CalMatters
  10. Vehicle Code §21207.5 (Class 3 on paths and trails) — California Legislature
  11. LA County beach bike path — LA County Beaches & Harbors
  12. Newsom signs SB 1167 on e-bikes vs. e-motos — Streetsblog California

IL

Illinois

Illinois: e-bikes are allowed wherever bicycles are, they're banned on sidewalks, and Class 3 riders must be 16+. Local authorities can ban e-bikes from paths.1 Golf carts and other non-highway vehicles need a local ordinance to use roads, and even then only on roads posted 35 mph or less.4

City guides: Chicago

Sources
  1. 625 ILCS 5/11-1517 (low-speed electric bicycles) — Illinois General Assembly
  2. Chicago ordinance amending MCC 9-52-020 (sidewalks, Lake Shore Drive) — Chicago City Clerk
  3. Micromobility in Illinois: know the rules — Illinois Secretary of State
  4. 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1 (non-highway vehicles) — Illinois General Assembly
  5. 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.2 (low-speed vehicles) — Illinois General Assembly
  6. Lakefront Trail — Chicago Park District
  7. Town halls on the Park District's micromobility policies (Oct 2026) — Streetsblog Chicago

TX

Texas

Texas: e-bikes are grouped into Classes 1–3, Class 3 riders must be 15+, and cities can't ban e-bikes where bicycles are allowed, except on natural-surface trails.3 Motor-assisted scooters can use roads posted 35 mph or less, plus sidewalks and bike paths unless a city bans them.4

City guides: Houston, Dallas

Sources
  1. Regulations for micromobility devices and off-highway vehicles — City of Houston / ParkHouston
  2. Chapter 45 micromobility devices FAQ (PDF) — City of Houston
  3. Transportation Code Ch. 551, Subchapter A-1 (electric bicycles) — Texas Legislature
  4. Transportation Code §551.352 and §551.303 (scooters, NEVs) — Texas Legislature
  5. Transportation Code §551.402–.404 (golf carts) — Texas Legislature

AZ

Arizona

Arizona: ARS §28-101 defines e-bike classes, electric stand-up scooters (under 75 lb, no faster than 20 mph) and golf carts. Under ARS §28-819, e-bikes and scooters have the same rights and duties as bicycles and don't need a title, registration, license or insurance.1,7

City guides: Phoenix

Sources
  1. ARS §28-819 (electric bicycles and scooters) — Arizona Legislature
  2. E-bikes and e-scooters: laws and ordinances — Phoenix Police Department
  3. Phoenix City Code §24-43 (wheeled devices in parks) — City of Phoenix
  4. What is mandatory insurance? (includes golf carts) — ADOT
  5. Golf cart law flyer — Marana (AZ) Police Department
  6. Shared micromobility program — City of Phoenix
  7. ARS §28-101 (definitions) — Arizona Legislature

PA

Pennsylvania

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

City guides: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

Sources
  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