Here’s a brief overview of the three classes:
Class 1 e-bikes: have a motor (max 750W) that assists while pedaling up to 20 mph, but has no throttle.
Class 2 e-bikes: pedals assist up to 20 mph, but also has a throttle.
Class 3 e-bikes: have up to a 750W (a.k.a. 1-horsepower) motor but can assist you up to 28 mph. These also do not have a throttle.
https://www.bosch-ebike.com/us/service/range-calculator
Bombtrack Beyond E
HB4103 - Electric assisted bicycle law (effective 1/1/25)
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2024R1/Measures/Overview/HB4103
Digest: The Act states that kids under 16 years of age may ride Class 1 e-bikes. The Act also states that only those 16 years of age and older may operate Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes. The Act creates the offense of unsafe e-bike riding. If a person violates the law, the person could face a fine of up to $100. (Flesch Readability Score: 73.4). Modifies the definition of electric assisted bicycle for purposes of the Oregon Vehicle Code. Adds definitions of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 electric assisted bicycles. Provides that children under 16 years of age may operate Class 1 electric assisted bicycles and provides that only persons 16 years of age and older may operate Class 2 and Class 3 electric assisted bicycles. Creates the offense of unsafe electric assisted bicycle riding. Punishes by maximum fine of $100.
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NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted. New sections are in boldfaced type.
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SECTION 1. ORS 801.258 is amended to read: 801.258.
Existing law to be omitted: [“Electric assisted bicycle” means a vehicle that:] [(1) Is designed to be operated on the ground on wheels;] [(2) Has a seat or saddle for use of the rider;] [(3) Is designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground;] [(4) Has both fully operative pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor; and] [(5) Is equipped with an electric motor that:] [(a) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts; and] [(b) Is incapable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of greater than 20 miles per hour on level ground.]
New law to be added: (1) “Class 1 electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle that: (a) Provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling; and (b) Ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(2) “Class 2 electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle that: (a) May be propelled by its motor without a rider pedaling; and (b) The motor ceases to provide assistance once the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
(3) “Class 3 electric assisted bicycle” means an electric assisted bicycle that: (a) Provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling; (b) Ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour; and (c) Is equipped with a speedometer.
Existing law to be kept: (4) “Electric assisted bicycle” means a bicycle that is equipped with an electric motor and that is a Class 1 electric assisted bicycle, a Class 2 electric assisted bicycle or a Class 3 electric assisted bicycle.
SECTION 2. ORS 807.020 is amended to read:
These sections are irrelevant: 807.020. A person who is granted a driving privilege by this section may exercise the driving privilege described without violation of the requirements under ORS 807.010. A grant of driving privileges to operate a motor vehicle under this section is subject to suspension and revocation the same as other driving privileges granted under the vehicle code. This section is in addition to any exemptions from the vehicle code under ORS 801.026. The following persons are granted the described driving privileges:
(1) A person who is not a resident of this state or who has been a resident of this state for less than 30 days may operate a motor vehicle without an Oregon license or driver permit if the person holds a current out-of-state license issued to the person. For the purpose of this subsection, a person is a resident of this state if the person meets the residency requirements described in ORS 807.062. To qualify under this subsection, the person must have the out-of-state license or driver permit in the person’s possession. A person is not granted driving privileges under this subsection: (a) If the person is under the minimum age required to be eligible for driving privileges under ORS 807.060; (b) During a period of suspension or revocation by this state or any other jurisdiction of driving privileges or of the right to apply for a license or driver permit issued by this state or any other jurisdiction; or (c) That exceed the driving privileges granted to the person by the out-of-state license or driver permit.
(2) A person who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a member of the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may operate a motor vehicle without an Oregon license or driver permit if the person is operating a motor vehicle in the course of the person’s duties in the Armed Forces or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(3) A person without a license or driver permit may operate a road roller or road machinery that is not required to be registered under the laws of this state.
(4) A person without a license or driver permit may temporarily operate, draw, move or propel a farm tractor or implement of husbandry.
(5) A person without a license or driver permit may operate a motor vehicle to demonstrate driving ability during the course of an examination administered under ORS 807.070 for the purpose of qualifying for a license or driver permit. This subsection only applies when an authorized examiner is in a seat beside the driver of the motor vehicle.
(6) Driving privileges for snowmobiles are exclusively as provided in ORS 821.150.
(7) Driving privileges for Class I all-terrain vehicles are exclusively as provided in ORS 821.170, unless a person is operating a Class I all-terrain vehicle on an all-terrain vehicle highway access route that is designated by the Oregon Transportation Commission as open to all-terrain vehicles.
(8) Driving privileges for Class III all-terrain vehicles are exclusively as provided in ORS 821.172, unless a person is operating a Class III all-terrain vehicle on an all-terrain vehicle highway access route that is designated by the commission as open to all-terrain vehicles.
(9) Driving privileges for Class IV all-terrain vehicles are exclusively as provided in ORS 821.176, unless a person is operating a Class IV all-terrain vehicle on an all-terrain vehicle highwayaccess route that is designated by the commission as open to all-terrain vehicles. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
(10) A person without a license or driver permit may operate a golf cart in accordance with an ordinance adopted under ORS 810.070.
(11) The spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty or the spouse of a member of the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who is accompanying the member on assignment in this state may operate a motor vehicle if the spouse has a current out-of-state license or driver permit issued to the spouse by another state in the spouse’s possession.
(12) A person who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty or a member of the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may operate a motor vehicle if the person has a current out-of-state license or driver permit in the person’s possession that is issued to the person by the person’s state of domicile or by the Armed Forces of the United States in a foreign country. Driving privileges described under this subsection that are granted by the Armed Forces apply only for a period of 45 days from the time the person returns to the United States.
(13) A person who does not hold a motorcycle endorsement may operate a motorcycle if the person is: (a) Within an enclosed cab; (b) Operating a vehicle designed to travel with three wheels in contact with the ground at speeds of less than 15 miles per hour; or (c) Operating an autocycle.
Existing law to be omitted: [(14) A person may operate a bicycle that is not an electric assisted bicycle without any grant of driving privileges.] [(15) A person may operate an electric assisted bicycle without a driver license or driver permit if the person is 16 years of age or older.]
(14) Except as provided in subsection (15) of this section, a person may operate a bicycle, including a Class 1 electric assisted bicycle, without any grant of driving privileges. (15) A person may operate the following without any grant of driving privileges if the person is 16 years of age or older: (a) A Class 2 electric assisted bicycle; or (b) A Class 3 electric assisted bicycle.
New law to be added: (14) Except as provided in subsection (15) of this section, a person may operate a bicycle, including a Class 1 electric assisted bicycle, without any grant of driving privileges.
New law to be added: (15) A person may operate the following without any grant of driving privileges if the person is 16 years of age or older: (a) A Class 2 electric assisted bicycle; or (b) A Class 3 electric assisted bicycle.
These sections are irrelevant: (16) A person may operate a motor assisted scooter without a driver license or driver permit if the person is 16 years of age or older. (17) A person who is not a resident of this state or who has been a resident of this state for less than 30 days may operate a motor vehicle without an Oregon license or driver permit if the person is at least 15 years of age and has in the person’s possession a current out-of-state equivalent of a Class C instruction driver permit issued to the person. For the purpose of this subsection, a person is a resident of this state if the person meets the residency requirements described in ORS 807.062. A person operating a motor vehicle under authority of this subsection has the same privileges and is subject to the same restrictions as a person operating under the authority of a Class C instruction driver permit issued as provided in ORS 807.280. (18) A person may operate an electric personal assistive mobility device without any grant of driving privileges if the person is 16 years of age or older.
New law to be added: SECTION 3. Section 4 of this 2024 Act is added to and made a part of the Oregon Vehicle Code.
New law to be added: SECTION 4. (1) A person commits the offense of unsafe electric assisted bicycle riding if the person is the parent, legal guardian or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child under 16 years of age and the child operates or rides on a highway either a Class 2 electric assisted bicycle or a Class 3 electric assisted bicycle. (2) The offense of unsafe electric assisted bicycle riding is a Class E traffic violation.
New law to be added: SECTION 5. Section 4 of this 2024 Act applies to offenses committed on or after the effective date of this 2024 Act.
MVBC eBike Policy
Pedal assist bicycles having a max speed of 28 mph are permitted on club rides. These are Class 1 and Class 3 electric bicycles that meet the definition of the Consumer Products Safety Commission and provide battery-powered assistance while pedaling.
Corvallis eBike Policy
https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/electric-micromobility-devices