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E-Bikes

What to know and what’s legal or illegal

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E-Bike vs Low Power Scooter

What’s the difference anyway?

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“Electrical Assisted Bicycle“ (E-bike)

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Defintion: means a vehicle having two or three wheels, fully operable pedals, and an electric motor NOT exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power. Electrical assisted bicycles are further required to conform to certain classes as follows:

(I) “Class 1 E-bike” means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour.

(II) “Class 2 E-bike” means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling but ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour.

(III) “Class 3 E-bike” means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight miles per hour.

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E-Bike Rules and Regulations

What am I allowed to do?

What am I NOT allowed to do?

  • Class 1 and Class 2 E-bikes are allowed on the same bicycle and pedestrian paths as conventional bicycles.
  • You must yield to pedestrians and signal your intention to turn and stop.
  • You must be 16 to operate a class 3 E-bike.
  • If you are under 16, you can operate class 1 & 2 E-bikes.
  • Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet on a Class 3 E-bike.
  • A class 3 E-bike must be equipped with a speedometer that displays the speed in mph.

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  • You cannot carry more people than the bike is designed for.
  • You cannot attach yourself to a motor vehicle on the roadway.
  • You cannot ride more than two bikes wide unless on a path.
  • You cannot modify the E-bike
  • Class 3 E-bikes may not be ridden on a bicycle or pedestrian path, per state law and Longmont City ordinance, but are permitted on public roadways and paths within a street or highway.

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Low-Power Scooter

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“Low Power Scooter”

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Defintion: means a self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on the roadways with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, no manual clutch, and either of the following:

(b) “Low-power scooter” does not include a toy vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, electric scooter, wheelchair, or any device designed to assist people with mobility impairments who use pedestrian rights-of-way.

(II) A wattage NOT exceeding four thousand four hundred seventy-six if powered by electricity.

(I) A cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters if powered by internal combustion; or

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Low Power Scooter Rules and Regulations

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  • You must have a valid driver’s license to operate a low-power scooter.
  • Low-power scooters must be registered through the state.
  • Low-power scooters must be insured.
  • The driver of a low power scooter must adhere to all applicable traffic laws.

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“Low Power Scooter”

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Mini electric dirt bikes are considered to be low power scooters

  • These bikes have no pedals and therefore are not ebikes.
  • These bikes are not street legal
  • A drivers license is required.
  • They must be registered and insured

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Consequences

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  • Points against your license and greater difficulty getting your permit/license.
  • Additional traffic charges and/or criminal charges.
  • As speed increases, the severity of injury increases during a crash and reaction time decreases.

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In a Nutshell …

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  • Students under age 16/without a drivers license may ride Class 1 and Class 2 ebikes.
  • A drivers license is required for a Class 3 ebike.
  • To be classified as an ebike, there must be operable pedals.
  • A diverse license is required to operate a low power scooter.

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