The Electric Bicycle
MCL 257.13e — three classes, 750 watts, and class 3 at 14 and 18
In Michigan, an electric bicycle has a seat, fully operable pedals and a motor of not greater than 750 watts. Class 1 assists only while pedaling and stops at 20 miles per hour; class 2 propels to no more than 20 miles per hour; class 3 assists only while pedaling and stops at 28 miles per hour.
Class 3 limits. A class 3 electric bicycle may not be operated by anyone less than 14 years of age, who may ride only as a passenger on one built for passengers. Anyone less than 18 years of age operating or riding one must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.
A bicycle's requirements. An individual riding an electric bicycle is subject to the same requirements as one riding a bicycle. A device modified so it no longer meets the definition, or with a motor over 750 watts, is no longer an electric bicycle.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAny e-bike can be ridden at any age | What the law actually doesNot a class 3 under 14 years of age |
| The assumptionA bigger motor is still an e-bike | What the law actually doesOver 750 watts, it is not an electric bicycle |
Local ordinances, park and trail rules, and the rules for mopeds, motor scooters and other motorized devices are not all on this page. Whether a particular machine is an electric bicycle under the definition is a question for a licensed Michigan attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- MCL 257.13e — "Electric bicycle" defined
- MCL 257.662a — Electric bicycle; rights of individual; class 3 rules
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.