What are the 3 classes of e-bikes?

It's important to note that these classifications may vary from state to state and country to country and are often used by lawmakers and regulatory authorities to set and enforce rules and regulations for e-bike use.

For example, some classes may require you to be a certain age or hold a valid drivers license to ride them on the road. Some may be allowed in bike lanes or on the sidewalk while others only on the road with other cars. Some may be allowed on off road trails with regular mountain bikes but others may not. The details within each class re maximum speed may also vary.

The classes below are used in most (but not all) states in the US and many other countries but be sure to check your local rules and regulations before making a decision about which e-bike is right for you. All of the information below applies in most areas however you should verify its accurate in your city, state or country.

Class 1 e-bikes have the following characteristics:

Class 1 e-bikes are treated the same as regular pavement or mountain bikes in most jurisdictions.

This means that Class 1 e-bikes are generally allowed to be used on bike paths, in bike lanes and on bike trails.

A bike that has an electric motor that assists only during pedaling is called a pedalec. The key to class 1 e-bikes are that the motor will only kick in and assist the rider when they are actually pedaling and the motor will only assist up to a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. This doesn't mean that you can't go faster than 20mph for example by pedaling hard or going down a hill, but the motor will not assist if speed is above 20mph.

Many first time e-bike users start with a Class 1 e-bike.

Class 2 e-bikes have the following characteristics:

As you can see, class 2 e-bikes are very similar in their characteristics to Class 1 e-bikes.

The key difference is that a throttle is included which gives the rider the ability to engage the motor without the need to pedal.

Because the top speed using the motor is still limited to 20 miles per hour, class-2 e-bikes are usually still allowed on bike paths and in bike lanes. They may however be prohibited from using single lane mountain bike trails as the may cause damage to trails when using the throttle only. That said, if using other types of off-road trails like those used by dirt bikes and ATV's, a class 2 e-bike might be just the ticket.

Class 2 e-bikes are a good choice for riders who want the ability to travel without pedaling at times or even at any time. They may be a good choice for older riders or those who have an injury or limited mobility that may impede their ability to pedal.

Class 3 e-bikes have the following characteristics:

Speed is the main differntiator between Class 3 e-bikes and their counterparts. They allow the motor to continue assisting the rider either in addition to pedaling or using the throttle alone up to a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour.

Why the different class? Many jurisdictions prohibit these faster vehicles from using bike paths and bike trails but most do still allow them on roads and in on-road bike lanes.

Class 3 e-bikes are a popular choice for commuters and everyday users and people looking for the adventure of longer, faster rides. They are however often heavier as a result of larger batteries and more powerful motors.

This is a question that only you can answer based on what you want to use your e-bike for.

Things to consider include:

Once you have answers to these questions, you are on your way to finding the perfect e-bike for your specific needs.