In Australia, the e-bike is defined by the Australian Vehicle Standards as a bicycle that has an auxiliary motor with a maximum power output not exceeding 250 W without consideration for speed limits or pedal sensors.
Since 2000, Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) have defined Power Assisted bicycles (PABs) as a separate category, and which require no license to operate.
On October 4, 2006, the Minister of Transportation for Ontario Donna Cansfield announced the Pilot Project allowing PABs which meet the federal standards definition for operation on road.
[30] PABs are permitted on the road in the province of Quebec, but riders have to be 14 and over to ride the electric bicycle and if they are under the age of 18, must have a moped or scooter license.
Due to a recent rise in electric-bicycle-related accidents, caused mostly by inexperienced riders who ride on the wrong side of the road, run red lights, do not use headlights at night etc., the Chinese government plans to change the legal status of illegal bicycles so that vehicles with an unladen weight of 20 kg (44 lb) or more and a top speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) or more will require a motorcycle license to operate, while vehicles lighter than 20 kg (44 lb) and slower than 30 km/h can be ridden unlicensed.
[33] Electric bicycles were banned in some areas of Beijing from August 2002 to January 2006 due to concerns over environmental, safety and city image issues.
[43] Switzerland (not an EU member) has more liberal standards for fast electric bicycles than most of Europe, with an easy process to obtain a license to use 45 km/h e-bikes.
These regulations are not promulgated by the Regional Transport offices, and riders are not required to obtain a license to drive, carry insurance, or wear a helmet.
According to Russian law, bicycles can have electric motors with nominal output power of 250 watts or less which automatically turns itself off on speeds above 25 km/h.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has regulatory authority to assure, through guidelines and standards, that the public will be protected from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of electric bicycles.
2085(b)), CPSC rules stipulate that low-speed electric bicycles[108] (to include two- and three-wheel vehicles) are exempt from classification as motor vehicles providing they have fully operable pedals, an electric motor of less than 750 W (1.01 hp), and a top motor-powered speed of fewer than 20 miles per hour (32 kilometres per hour) when operated by a rider weighing 170 pounds.
Commercially manufactured e-bikes exceeding these power and speed limits are regulated by the federal DOT and NHTSA as motor vehicles and must meet additional safety requirements.
Ebike definition in Colorado follows the HR 727 National Law: 20 mph (30 km/h) e-power and 750 W (1 hp) max, 2 or 3 wheels, pedals that work.
[118] Section 14-1 of Connecticut state law classifies electric bicycles as "motor-driven cycles" if they have a seat height of not less than 26 inches and a motor which produces brake horsepower of 2 or less.
To be registered under Hawaii law a moped must bear a certification label from the manufacturer stating that it complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS).
under Chapter 91: approved braking, fuel, and exhaust system components; approved steering system and handlebars; wheel rims; fenders; a guard or protective covering for drive belts, chains and rotating components; seat or saddle; lamps and reflectors; equipment controls; speedometer; retracting support stand; horn; and identification markings.
Each low-speed electric bicycle operating in Illinois should comply with requirements adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 CFR 1512.
The new definition, found in Iowa Code section 321.1(40)c[130] states: "Bicycle" means either of the following: (1) A device having two wheels and having at least one saddle or seat for the use of a rider which is propelled by human power.
Recent legislation has passed putting Maryland ebike laws in line with the popular class 1,2,3 systems previously implemented in states such as California.
Manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles must apply a prominent fixed label specifying the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage.
Operators must generally ride as close as is practical to the right-hand side of the road (exceptions include when overtaking another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, and to avoid unsafe conditions).
(2)(b) "Bicycle" means: (i) a vehicle propelled solely by human power on which any person may ride, irrespective of the number of wheels, except scooters, wheelchairs, and similar devices; or
(2)(n) "Moped" means: a vehicle equipped with two or three wheels, foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion, and an independent power source providing a maximum of 2 brake horsepower.
Nebraska defines a Moped as "a bicycle with fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, an automatic transmission, and a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters which produces no more than two brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the bicycle at a maximum design speed of no more than thirty miles per hour on level ground.
[147] As of May 14, 2019, a new vehicle class ("Low-speed electric bicycle") was added to NJRS Title 39, described as "a two or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by a motor, while operated by a person weighing 170 pounds (77 kg), is less than 20 miles per hour (32 kilometres per hour)."
Under previous regulations, all e-bikes were classified as motorized bicycles (mopeds) and required registration, but could not actually be registered since the law was written only for gas-powered vehicles.
[153] However, Mayor Bill de Blasio has changed the city's policy to legalize pedal-assist electric bikes that have a maximum speed limited to 20 mph.
[161] In September 2023, additional regulations were introduced in New York City to restrict the sale of electric bicycles and other battery-powered mobility devices to only those that are UL certified.
On February 4, 2014, SB997 was introduced by Senator Matt Smith, which seeks to amend PA Vehicle Code to include "Pedalcycle with Electric Assist".
In a memo addressed to all senate members, Smith said the definition shall include "bicycles equipped with an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts, weighing not more than 100 pounds (45 kg), are capable of a maximum speed of not more than 20 mph (32 km/h), and have operable pedals.