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DETROIT – Thinking about riding an e-bike in Michigan? The rules depend on what kind of bike you have — and where you plan to take it.
Related: E-bike injuries rising among kids as Corewell Health doctors warn parents about speed, safety risks
Under Michigan law, a legal e-bike must have fully operational pedals, a saddle, and a motor rated at 750 watts or less.
Riders do not need a license, registration, or insurance.
Keep in mind, these rules are statewide. Your local area may have stricter rules on their books. Riders should always check municipal or county ordinances before heading out.
Three classes, three sets of rules
Michigan recognizes three classes of e-bikes, each with its own speed limits and access rules.
Class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assist only, meaning the motor helps while the rider pedals. Assistance stops at 20 mph.
Class 2 e-bikes are throttle-assisted, meaning the motor can move the bike without pedaling. Assistance also stops at 20 mph.
Class 3 e-bikes are pedal-assist only but can assist up to 28 mph. By law, they must include a speedometer.
Age, helmet requirements
There is no statewide minimum age or helmet requirement for Class 1 and Class 2 riders.
Class 3 is a different story. Riders must be at least 14 years old, and anyone under 18 — whether riding or riding as a passenger — must wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.
Where you can and can’t ride
All three classes are generally allowed on public roads, shoulders and designated bike lanes, just like traditional bicycles. Sidewalks are permitted statewide unless a local ordinance restricts them.
State trails and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lands follow a tiered system. Class 1 e-bikes are generally allowed on state-managed linear and non-motorized trails open to traditional bikes. Class 2 riders may need a free, mobility-related permit from the Michigan DNR to access those same trails. Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited on DNR-managed non-motorized trails entirely.
E-motos: Not the same as e-bikes
High-speed electric dirt bikes — commonly called e-motos — are in a different legal category altogether in Michigan.
E-motos typically lack functional pedals, can exceed 30 mph and carry far more powerful motors.
They are not considered e-bikes in Michigan. That means they cannot be used on sidewalks, traditional bike paths or non-motorized trails. They are also banned from public roads and bike lanes unless they meet all the safety standards required of a street-legal motorcycle — including turn signals, mirrors and headlights — and are properly registered.
Unregistered e-motos are generally classified as Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) and must be ridden in designated ORV parks or on specific DNR trails that permit motorized dirt bikes.
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