Electric Bicycle Laws
Electric Bicycle Regulations
Federal law says that an electrically driven bicycle is considered a "bicycle" and the laws of bicycles
apply if:
o Electrically driven bicycle has less than 750 watt motor
o Functional pedals
o Max speed is less than 20mph
The Federal law shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to low-speed
electric bicycles. (The state must regulate the electric bicycle as a bicycle)
Federal definition of a bicycle
o Sec. 1512.2. [Amended]
§ 2. Amend Sec. 1512.2, to revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
(a) Bicycle means:
Federal Electric Bicycle Law
HR 727
SECTION 1. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY ACT.
The Consumer product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq) is amended by added at the
end of the following:
LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC BICYCLES
SEC. 38. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, low-speed electric bicycles
are consumer products within the meaning of section 3(a)(1) and shall be subject to
the Commission regulations published at section 1500.18(a)(12) and part 1512 of
title 16, Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term `low-speed electric bicycle' means a twoor
three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less
than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when
powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170
pounds, is less than 20 mph.
(c) To further protect the safety of consumers who ride low-speed electric bicycles,
the Commission may promulgate new or amended requirements applicable to such
vehicles as necessary and appropriate.
(d) This section shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to lowspeed
electric bicycles to the extent that such State law or requirement is more
stringent than the Federal law or requirements referred to in subsection (a).
Florida Electric Bicycle Law
Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL
316.003 Definitions.--The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context otherwise requires:
(2) BICYCLE.--Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. No person under the age of 16 may operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle.
Federal law says that an electrically driven bicycle is considered a "bicycle" and the laws of bicycles
apply if:
o Electrically driven bicycle has less than 750 watt motor
o Functional pedals
o Max speed is less than 20mph
The Federal law shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to low-speed
electric bicycles. (The state must regulate the electric bicycle as a bicycle)
Federal definition of a bicycle
o Sec. 1512.2. [Amended]
§ 2. Amend Sec. 1512.2, to revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
(a) Bicycle means:
Federal Electric Bicycle Law
HR 727
SECTION 1. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY ACT.
The Consumer product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq) is amended by added at the
end of the following:
LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC BICYCLES
SEC. 38. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, low-speed electric bicycles
are consumer products within the meaning of section 3(a)(1) and shall be subject to
the Commission regulations published at section 1500.18(a)(12) and part 1512 of
title 16, Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term `low-speed electric bicycle' means a twoor
three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less
than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when
powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170
pounds, is less than 20 mph.
(c) To further protect the safety of consumers who ride low-speed electric bicycles,
the Commission may promulgate new or amended requirements applicable to such
vehicles as necessary and appropriate.
(d) This section shall supersede any State law or requirement with respect to lowspeed
electric bicycles to the extent that such State law or requirement is more
stringent than the Federal law or requirements referred to in subsection (a).
Florida Electric Bicycle Law
Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL
316.003 Definitions.--The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context otherwise requires:
(2) BICYCLE.--Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. No person under the age of 16 may operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle.
