—Class I is pedal-assisted only, up to 20mph. No throttle. In no way is this a motorcycle.
—Class II is pedal-assisted or throttle, up to 20mph.
—Class III is pedal-assisted up to 28mph. Throttle is optional.
—Class IV is speeds over 28mph or a motor 750W or more.
Personal opinion: Class 1 can and should be allowed anywhere a regular pedal bike is allowed. Class 2 needs to have a max weight limit if it’s to be used on sidewalks or multiuse trails, basically anywhere there are pedestrians. Class 3 absolutely should have a max weight limit if it’s going to be used anywhere except roads. Class 4 is getting into speeds and weights high enough to warrant consideration for licenses/permits in public spaces.
I have a class I. It is significantly faster than anyone else on the bike trails around me most of the time. My roadbike will go faster on the downhill sections, but on flat or uphill it is much slower. Because of this it doesn’t fit well on the bike trails - I make it work, but only because the trails are not busy and so the rare times I encounter anyone else I hit the brakes and pass much slower.
There are different classes of ebikes:
—Class I is pedal-assisted only, up to 20mph. No throttle. In no way is this a motorcycle.
—Class II is pedal-assisted or throttle, up to 20mph.
—Class III is pedal-assisted up to 28mph. Throttle is optional.
—Class IV is speeds over 28mph or a motor 750W or more.
Personal opinion: Class 1 can and should be allowed anywhere a regular pedal bike is allowed. Class 2 needs to have a max weight limit if it’s to be used on sidewalks or multiuse trails, basically anywhere there are pedestrians. Class 3 absolutely should have a max weight limit if it’s going to be used anywhere except roads. Class 4 is getting into speeds and weights high enough to warrant consideration for licenses/permits in public spaces.
I have a class I. It is significantly faster than anyone else on the bike trails around me most of the time. My roadbike will go faster on the downhill sections, but on flat or uphill it is much slower. Because of this it doesn’t fit well on the bike trails - I make it work, but only because the trails are not busy and so the rare times I encounter anyone else I hit the brakes and pass much slower.