Tennessee E-Bike Laws
Tennessee uses the 3-class e-bike system; e-bikes are treated as bicycles, with no title, registration, license or insurance required. Class 3 e-bikes must have a speedometer. Electric scooters are subject to local rules in cities such as Nashville.
Tennessee defines three classes of electric bicycles (Tenn. Code § 55-8-301): Class 1 - the motor assists only while the rider is pedaling and cuts off at 20 mph; Class 2 - the motor may propel the bicycle by itself but cannot assist above 20 mph; Class 3 - the motor assists only while pedaling and cuts off at 28 mph. An electric bicycle must have fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. E-bikes and their riders are not subject to motor-vehicle requirements - no titling, registration, driver license or financial-responsibility (insurance) obligations - and, except as otherwise specified, the laws that apply to bicycles apply to e-bikes (§ 55-8-302). Class 3 e-bikes must be equipped with a speedometer, e-bikes must carry the manufacturer's classification label, and knowingly modifying an e-bike's speed capability without replacing the label is a Class C misdemeanor (§§ 55-8-303 to 55-8-305). Whether a particular path or greenway allows e-bikes can vary locally, so check local ordinances. Electric scooters are regulated separately, largely by local rules - Nashville regulates shared scooters, including speed and parking requirements.