The Electric Bicycle
Transp. Code 664.001 — three classes, fewer than 750 watts, 28 miles per hour
In Texas, an electric bicycle has fully operable pedals, an electric motor of fewer than 750 watts, and a top assisted speed of 28 miles per hour or less.
The classes. Class 1 assists only while pedaling, with a top assisted speed of 20 miles per hour or less. Class 2 may propel the bicycle without pedaling, with the same top assisted speed. Class 3 assists only while pedaling, with a top assisted speed of more than 20 but less than 28 miles per hour.
Equipment. A person who makes or sells an electric bicycle must ensure it meets the federal equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAny motor and any speed counts as an e-bike | What the law actually doesFewer than 750 watts and 28 miles per hour or less |
| The assumptionEvery e-bike can run on throttle alone | What the law actually doesOnly class 2 may propel without pedaling |
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 Texas attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Transp. Code 664.001 — Electric bicycles: definitions
- Transp. Code 664.003 — Electric bicycles: federal standards
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.