Ebike Smart

An Electric Bicycle (aka an Ebike) is a bicycle that can be propelled by a combination of human and electric motor power.

In Rhode Island, ebikes must have working pedals, and may not have motor power in excess of 2 HP, or provide assistance beyond 28 mph maximum speed.

The state further recognizes three legal classes of Ebikes, defined by their top speed and methods of propulsion:

All class 1, 2, and 3 Ebikes must be clearly labeled by their manufacturer to indicate their Ebike class, power rating, and maximum speed.

Class 1 ebikes are allowed on the East Bay Bike Path and other state bicycle facilities, but Class 2 and 3 ebikes are restricted and may not be used on the state owned trails. All three classes of ebikes may be used on roads and in bike lanes or other on-road bicycle infrastructure. Ebike users, regardless of ebike class, generally have the same rights and duties as traditional bicycle users.

UL-2849 is the bicycle industry's accepted engineering standard for Ebike Systems. It guarantees the electrical safety of ebike motors, controllers, and batteries. Every leading ebike brand has voluntarily adopted this standard for all their ebikes, and it should be a requirement for any ebike you're considering bringing home.

Lack of UL certification is a major red flag for any new ebike being sold today. While UL certification is not yet federally mandated, it has been adopted in major markets like New York City, prompting reputable ebike manufacturers industry-wide to get their bikes certified.

For more information on how to tell whether an ebike is UL certified, check out this guide from GoEbikeLife.com.

Electric motorbikes, dirtbikes, and other off-road recreational vehicles that don't conform to one of the three Ebike class defintions are not legally Ebikes in Rhode Island. Unfortunately, electric motorbikes are sometimes informally referred to as "ebikes", which can be a source of confusion. Unlike electric bicycles, motorbikes and dirtbikes are not allowed on bike paths or sidewalks, and must be registered in order to be street legal.

If you are considering getting an ebike, make sure to research the brand and specific model to ensure that it is legal for all of your intended uses -- for example, if you want to ride on the East Bay Bike Path, you'll need to make sure you choose a Class 1 (pedal assist only, 20mph max) ebike.

Some class 2 electric bicycles may seem to blur the line between bicycles and motorbikes, incorporating motorsport styling into their marketing and designs. These type of ebikes are often sold by brands direct online, or through giant retailers like Amazon and Walmart. We advise caution to parents whose teens are asking for moto-styled class 2 ebikes, noting that these bikes, while trendy, are not allowed on state bike trails. And once again, we do not recommend buying any ebike unless it is a UL-2849 certified model.

For expert guidance and support about electric bikes, we recommend seeking advice at local bike shops, like our East Providence Trek Bicycle dealer. Bike shops are a great resource, providing test rides and answering questions to help people avoid misteps and match with great fitting bikes.