LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – For today’s Good Question, Mike asks, “With the rise in popularity of e-bikes, are there any city or state traffic regulations on them?”
According to e-bike company Velotric, 39 states use a three-class system that categorizes e-bikes based on speed and throttle use. Kentucky is not one of them.
Here, most of the rules regarding e-bikes are covered by bicycle laws.
What Kentucky law says
State law defines “bicycle” as a device with an attached seat propelled primarily by human power upon which a person rides astride or upon, regardless of the number and size of the wheels in contact with the ground.
Since e-bikes are classified as bicycles, those are the laws riders are expected to follow.
A bicycle is considered a vehicle, and you’re a driver. When you ride in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
If there’s a bicycle lane, you’re expected to use it.
Local rules may differ
There may be local ordinances that are more restrictive than state laws.
In Lexington, the definition of an electric bicycle is a bicycle containing an electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion at a speed no greater than 15 miles per hour.
State law says a bicycle may be operated on a sidewalk. But a Lexington ordinance says you can’t ride a bicycle on a sidewalk within the business district downtown unless you’re in law enforcement. That would also apply to e-bikes.
E-bikes vs. electric motorcycles
It’s also important to know that e-bikes are different than electric motorcycles.
Depending on how powerful they are, those may require license, registration and insurance to operate.
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