| Many people are finding electric bikes to be a viable | | | | also not allowed on sidewalks. |
| alternative to driving vehicles that are high in emissions. | | | | According to some places the laws are based on the |
| While it is a great idea, it's important to remember that | | | | amount of power that the bike puts out. If the engine |
| electric bikes are subject to rules and laws just as | | | | runs at 200 watts or more then the bike may not be |
| much as a car is. You need to know what these laws | | | | allowed on the road unless it is registered as a vehicle. |
| are if you will be riding an electric bike often. To | | | | This varies from state to state so don't assume that |
| neglect this information could result in an embarrassing | | | | it's the same. You need to know for sure because |
| fine. Getting pulled over is rarely fun but it's even | | | | driving without registration is a serious offense. |
| worse on a bike. | | | | Sometimes the law is based on speed limit or engine |
| Countries like the United States and Canada have | | | | size. For example, if your electric bike reaches certain |
| national laws regarding the use of electric bikes. These | | | | speeds you may be required to have it registered. |
| laws tend to be incredibly confusing though since | | | | Many locations work in quite the opposite way. Many |
| different states and provinces also have their own | | | | places will only allow electric bikes on sidewalks and |
| separate laws. It's best to be aware of the laws for | | | | biking paths. This can limit where you can use them so |
| both your state and your country. If you find that they | | | | keep this in mind when considering the switch to an |
| conflict then speak to someone that can give you a | | | | electric bike. If you can't use the road then it may be |
| professional opinion. Bicycles have rules that require | | | | more inconvenient that anything. |
| the use of proper safety gear such as helmets. It's no | | | | It's important to note that an electric bike is nothing like |
| different with electric bikes so always use safety | | | | a scooter or a motorbike. It does not have that kind of |
| equipment while riding. | | | | engine power or capacity. It is nothing more than a |
| In many places electric bikes are not allowed to be | | | | bicycle that has been equipped with electricity to |
| ridden on the road as part of traffic. Check into this | | | | power it. If you decide to make use of an electric bike, |
| before you receive a fine. To ride on the road could | | | | always be informed of the laws where you live. It's not |
| obstruct traffic and cause an accident. It's never worth | | | | worth the risk or the trouble to go about uninformed. |
| it to break the rules where you live. If you are not able | | | | Electric bikes are still a confusing topic so ask officials |
| to ride your electric bike with traffic then you will have | | | | for all legal information before you ride. |
| to seek out an alternative route since many bikes are | | | | |