What is the difference between a Class 2 and a Class 3 e-bike?

A Class 2 e-bike has a throttle and assists up to 20 mph. A Class 3 e-bike assists only while pedaling but up to 28 mph. Class 3 is faster, and more places restrict it.

Do I need a license or registration for a Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike?

In most states that use the three-class system, bikes that fit the classes need no license or registration, though rules differ. Faster or more powerful bikes may be treated as mopeds or motorcycles. Check your state's rules.

Can I ride a Class 3 e-bike on a bike path?

Often not. Many paths and trails allow Class 1 and sometimes Class 2 only. Check the rules for the specific path.

E-bike classes 1, 2 and 3 explained

The three classes at a glance

The three-class system comes from model legislation that a majority of U.S. states have adopted in some form. The definitions below are the commonly used ones; your state's wording can differ.

Class 1: the motor helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph. No throttle.
Class 2: has a throttle that can drive the bike without pedaling, with motor assistance up to 20 mph.
Class 3: the motor helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 28 mph. Many states require a speedometer and set a minimum rider age or helmet rule for this class. Class 3 bikes generally do not include a throttle that works above 20 mph.

Why the class matters

Many shared-use paths and mountain bike trails allow Class 1 and sometimes Class 2 but not Class 3. A faster bike may be limited to roads and bike lanes. Cities, parks and land agencies each set their own rules, so a bike that is legal on the road can still be barred from a particular trail.

The class is also how a bike is separated from a moped or motorcycle. A bike whose motor is far above the usual limits, or that assists well beyond 28 mph, may be treated as a motor vehicle in some states, with registration, license and insurance rules.

Federal rule versus state rules

At the federal level, a low-speed electric bicycle is defined for consumer product safety as a two or three wheeled bicycle with working pedals and a motor under 750 watts that cannot drive the bike past 20 mph by motor alone. That rule is about product safety. Where you may ride, what age you must be and whether you need a helmet are decided by states and local governments.

Speed settings and unlocking

Some bikes ship limited to 20 mph and let the owner raise the limit in a settings menu. Whether the bike is then Class 1, 2 or 3 depends on how it is set and how your state treats it, and a bike that is changed after sale may no longer match the class on its label. If you plan to ride where class rules apply, ask the brand how the bike is classed as shipped and keep it within that class.

What the bikes in our database say about class

None of the 22 brand pages we checked states an e-bike class, so our class field reads "Not listed" for every bike. We do not guess it. What the listings do show:

22 of 22 bikes list a top speed above 20 mph (most list 28 mph), which is beyond the Class 1 and Class 2 limit.
4 Kingbull models list a default of 20 mph that can be adjusted up to 28 mph: Kingbull Discover 2.0, Kingbull Literider 2.0, Kingbull Trekker, Kingbull Verve.
Several Kingbull models also list throttle-only speed limited to 20 mph.

Before you buy, ask the brand how the bike is classed as shipped and how the speed limit is set. See the commuting guide for bikes ranked by weight and range.