Indiana E-Bike Laws
Indiana uses the three-class e-bike system (IC 9-13-2-26.6 to -26.8: Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle to 20 mph, Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph, motor not over 750 watts) and regulates e-bikes as bicycles with no driver's licence, title, registration or insurance requirement; Class 1 and Class 2 may be ridden on any bicycle or multipurpose path where bicycles are permitted unless a statute, rule or local ordinance says otherwise, a Class 3 may not use a bicycle or multipurpose path unless the path is within or adjacent to a highway or the local authority authorises it, no one under 15 may operate a Class 3 (under-15s may ride as passengers), and every Class 3 operator or passenger under 18 must wear a fitted CPSC- or ASTM-standard bicycle helmet; electric foot scooters may be operated wherever bicycles may be operated subject to local ordinance, may not be operated on interstate highways, and may be parked on sidewalks without impeding pedestrians (IC 9-21-11-13.1, 9-21-11-13.6).
E-BIKE AND ELECTRIC SCOOTER LAW
Indiana
Indiana uses the three-class electric bicycle system: Class 1 (pedal-assist, assistance ceases at 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle, ceases at 20 mph) and Class 3 (pedal-assist, ceases at 28 mph), with an electric motor of not more than 750 watts (IC 9-13-2-26.6 to -26.8, 9-13-2-49.2). An electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle and is regulated as a bicycle, with no driver's license, financial responsibility (insurance), certificate of title or registration requirement (IC 9-21-11-13.1(a)-(e)). Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may be operated on any bicycle or multipurpose path where bicycles are permitted unless a statute, rule or local ordinance provides otherwise; a Class 3 e-bike may not be operated on a bicycle or multipurpose path unless the path is within or adjacent to a highway or roadway, or the local authority or state agency with jurisdiction authorizes it (IC 9-21-11-13.1(k)(1)-(2)). A person under 15 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike, though under-15s may ride as passengers on one designed to accommodate a passenger, and every person who operates or rides as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike and is under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet meeting CPSC or ASTM standards (IC 9-21-11-13.1(k)(3)-(5)). Electric foot scooters have the rights and duties of bicyclists and may be operated where a bicycle may be operated, subject to local ordinance; they may not be operated on an interstate highway, and they may be parked on a sidewalk in a way that does not impede the normal movement of pedestrians or vehicle traffic (IC 9-21-11-13.6). The three-class framework was adopted in 2019 (P.L.206-2019 / HEA 1649; electric foot scooters P.L.142-2019).
Authority: IC 9-13-2-26.6, -26.7, -26.8, -49.2 (definitions); IC 9-21-11-13.1 (electric bicycles); IC 9-21-11-13.6 (electric foot scooters).