Electric Bike and Electric Motor-Driven Cycle Safety

Electric bikes and electric motor-driven cycles are increasing in popularity as alternative modes of transportation. It is important to know how Arizona’s Legislature has defined these modes of transportation and what requirements and limitations exist in the law.

Electric bicycles are bicycles or tricycles that are equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts and that meets other requirements and cannot exceed 20 or 28mph, depending on class of electric bicycle.

As a result of that definition, electric bicycles must, first, be bicycles or tricycles.  Bicycles and tricycles are defined as devices, including a racing wheelchair, that is propelled by human power and on which a person may ride and that has either:

  1. Two tandem wheels, either of which is more than sixteen inches in diameter.
  2. Three wheels in contact with the ground, any of which is more than sixteen inches in diameter.

If the device complies with those definitions and requirements, riders of electric bicycles are still required to follow all laws applicable to non-electric bicycles under Arizona law and town ordinance(s). If the device does not comply with those definitions and requirements, such as not having pedals or a wheel that is, at least, sixteen inches in diameter, the device is would be either a motorcycle or motor-driven cycles, depending on horsepower.

Here is what’s important to remember:

  • Motorcycles and motor driven cycles require the rider to have an Arizona driver’s license with a class “M” endorsement,
  • The motorcycle or motor driven cycle must be insured
  • The motorcycle or motor driven cycle must be registered with MVD and display an ADOT-provided license plate.
  • If the rider of a motorcycle or motor driven cycle is under 18 years of age, they are also required to wear eye protection and a helmet.

Examples of these motorcycles or motor driven cycles include SurRon, Talaria, and other similarly-designed cycles.

For the safety of other drivers and riders, thank you for helping us spread the message and for helping us keep our roadways safe.

Learn more about the laws regulating the use of other alternative types of transportation such as scooters, golf carts, ATVs, and more here.