Arizona Ebike Laws: Know the Difference Before You Ride This Summer

As we start the quick transition from whatever we count as spring into summer, chances are you’re probably headed out and about in a vehicle with air conditioning, tinted windows, and a pair of oven mitts in the glovebox. For those of you brave or seasoned enough by the Arizona sun, this might actually be your favorite time of year to get around town in the sunshine, whether by bike, scooter, or ebike. In today’s eco-conscious social climate, ebikes are becoming more and more popular. However, ebikes ride a fine line (pun intended) between sports equipment and street-legal vehicles. Within the last month, several police agencies across Arizona have cited drivers who attempted to claim their electric motorcycles were actually just electric bikes. To keep you riding and not walking home, here’s what you need to know about ebikes.

To qualify as an ebike in Arizona, the vehicle must occupy three specific categories. First, it must have pedals and those pedals must be operational. Second, the vehicle must have an electric motor of no more than 750 watts. Third, the vehicle must meet one of two conditions: that the motor assists up to 20 mph, or that the pedals assist up to 28 mph.

If the vehicle has two wheels and does not meet these requirements, then it’s either a standard bicycle OR legally designated as a motorcycle, which means you’ll need proper licensing and registration to operate on a motorway in Arizona. Regardless of the case, there are no equipment requirements in Arizona as long as you’re over 18, meaning helmets and protective riding equipment are optional, but always highly recommended.

Police are going to treat your ebike the same way you would a duck: if it looks like a motorcycle, rides like a motorcycle, and you drive it like a motorcycle, you better believe you can get pulled over and cited like a motorcycle. Make sure to check the designation of your ebike and make sure you’re within the parameters listed above, because the only thing worse than only having two wheels is having no wheels at all. If you have any questions about ebike versus motorcycle designations, call us at Palestini Law today!