Helmet Laws for Ebikes
Summary: States are adopting electric bike classification and rules laws that sometimes include helmet requirements for all ebike riders or for Class 3 (28 MPH maximum speed) riders. Some include scooters and other mini-mobility devices.
The model helmets for ebikes legislation being promoted to states by PeopleForBikes and the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association includes a provision for mandatory helmet use for all riders of Class 3 ebikes, the pedal assist bikes capable of up to 28 MPH. The list below is compiled from the PeopleForBikes fact sheets on each state. Class 1 ebikes are pedal assist bikes capable of no more than 20 MPH, and Class 2 ebikes have same maximum speed but have a throttle in addition to pedal assist. The International Mountain Bike Association has a fact sheet that covers the differences in ebike classes.
Note: Some states in the list below have pedal bicycle helmet laws that also apply to helmets for ebikes, and many localities do. We have a page listing those laws. We have included the state requirements for all bicycles including ebikes below. For a list that excludes regular bike helmet laws, see this PeopleForBikes spreadsheet. They have additional detail on the ebike laws. Most ebike laws requiring helmets for riders also cover passengers.
| Jurisdiction | Covers |
|---|---|
| Alabama | All classes, all ages |
| Alaska | Local bike requirements only |
| Arizona | Local bike requirements only |
| Arkansas | Class 3 riders under 21 years old |
| California | Class 1&2, under 18. Class 3, all ages. + Marin Co. Class 2 all ages. |
| Colorado | Class 3, under 21 |
| Connecticut | Class 1 & 2, under 16. Class 3, all ages |
| Delaware | All classes, under 18 |
| District of Columbia Washington DC | All classes, under 16 |
| Florida | All classes, under 16 |
| Georgia | Class 1 & 2, under 16. Class 3, all ages |
| Hawaii | All classes, under 18 |
| Idaho | No requirement |
| Illinois | Local bike requirements only |
| Indiana | Class 3 under 18 |
| Iowa | No requirement |
| Kansas | Local bike requirements only |
| Kentucky | Local bike requirements only |
| Louisiana | Class 3, all ages |
| Maine | All classes, under 16 |
| Maryland | All classes, under 16 |
| Massachusetts | All classes, all ages |
| Michigan | Class 1 & 2 local bike requirements. Class 3, under 16 |
| Minnesota | No requirement |
| Mississippi | Local bike requirements only |
| Missouri | Local bike requirements only |
| Montana | Local bike requirements only |
| Nebraska | No requirement |
| Nevada | Local bike requirements only |
| New Hampshire | Class 1 & 2, under 16. Class 3, under 18 |
| New Jersey | All classes, under 17 |
| New Mexico | Moped law, all classes, under 18 |
| New York | Class 1 and 2, state and local bike helmet laws |
| North Carolina | All classes, under 16 |
| North Dakota | “Motorized Bicycles” No requirement |
| Ohio | Class 1 & 2, local requirements. Class 3, all ages |
| Oklahoma | All classes, local requirements only |
| Oregon | All classes, under 16 |
| Pennsylvania | All classes, under 12 |
| Rhode Island | All classes, under 16 |
| South Carolina | No requirement |
| South Dakota | No requirement |
| Tennessee | Class 1 & 2, under 16. Class 3, all ages |
| Texas | All classes, local requirements only |
| Utah | No requirement |
| Vermont | No requirement |
| Virginia | Class 1 & 2, local requirements. Class 3, all ages |
| Washington State | All classes, local requirements only |
| West Virginia | Class 1 and 3, under 15 plus local requirements |
| Wisconsin | Local requirements only |
| Wyoming | No requirement |
Albany County NY has adopted an all ages ebike and escooter helmet law.
California has enacted a providing that a rider under 18 cited for operating an ebike while not wearing a proper helmet may avoid fines if they prove that they have a helmet that meets legal specifications and they completed an ebike safety course.
Here is our page on local and state non-electric bike helmet laws.
Internationally, many countries are adopting ebike helmet laws to respond to the rise in injuries. Even the Netherlands has a requirement for riders under 18 taking effect in 2027, and Dutch localities are now regulating “fat bikes” that are heavier, more powerful vehicles capable of traveling at much faster speeds. The issue of faster and heavier emotorcycles has been raised in the US as well.
We have a page on ebike helmets with more information on them.
Here is a fact sheet on ebike class definitions.
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