08/13/2026
🚲⚡ MAINE E-BIKE SAFETY & THE RULES OF THE ROAD ⚡🚲
E-bikes are becoming more common on Maine roads, sidewalks, bike paths, and trails. Whether you ride one or share the road with someone who does, it’s important to know the rules.
For informational purposes, here’s a quick reminder of Maine’s current e-bike laws and safety rules:
🔵 KNOW YOUR E-BIKE CLASS
Maine recognizes three classes of electric bicycles. An e-bike must have fully operable pedals and a motor of less than 750 watts.
🚲 Class 1: Pedal-assist only; the motor stops assisting at 20 MPH.
⚡ Class 2: May propel the bike without pedaling, but the motor cannot propel it beyond 20 MPH.
🚴 Class 3: Pedal-assist only; the motor stops assisting at 28 MPH. Class 3 e-bikes must have a speedometer displaying MPH.
👦 AGE REQUIREMENTS
A person under 16 may NOT operate a Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike.
A person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike only when the bike is designed to carry passengers.
Anyone under 16 who operates or rides as a passenger on an e-bike must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.
🪪 NO DRIVER'S LICENSE OR REGISTRATION
Maine does not require a driver's license, vehicle registration, license plate, or financial responsibility requirements for an e-bike that meets the legal definition of an electric bicycle.
🚫 DON'T MODIFY YOUR E-BIKE
Do not modify an e-bike to increase its motor-powered speed beyond Maine's legal limits. If modifications take the vehicle outside the statutory e-bike limits, it is no longer considered an electric bicycle under Maine law and different requirements may apply.
🛣️ E-BIKES HAVE RIGHTS — AND RESPONSIBILITIES
When riding on the roadway, e-bike operators are subject to the applicable rules of the road, just like other vehicle operators.
That means:
➡️ Obey stop signs and traffic signals.
➡️ Ride in the proper direction on one-way roads.
➡️ Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
➡️ Ride to the right when traveling slower than normal traffic, when practicable and safe.
➡️ Use extra caution around intersections, driveways, parked cars, and pedestrians.
🌲 KNOW WHERE YOU CAN RIDE
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may generally be operated where bicycles are permitted, including bicycle paths — BUT the municipality or agency responsible for a path may prohibit them.
Class 3 e-bikes have additional restrictions and generally cannot be operated on bicycle paths unless the path is within a highway/roadway or the responsible authority has specifically authorized Class 3 e-bikes.
🌙 RIDING AT NIGHT? LIGHT UP!
Maine requires bicycles and e-bikes used at night to have:
💡 A white front light visible from at least 200 feet
🔴 A red or amber rear light or reflector visible from at least 200 feet
🔆 Reflective material on the pedals, unless the rider is wearing reflective material on the feet or ankles
E-bikes must also have brakes capable of stopping the bike within a reasonable distance.
🚗 DRIVERS — GIVE BIKES ROOM!
When passing a bicyclist, Maine law requires a motor vehicle operator to leave at least 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicyclist while passing.
Slow down, wait until it is safe, and give them room. Three feet can make the difference.
🚌 AND YES — E-BIKES MUST STOP FOR SCHOOL BUSES!
Maine law specifically requires a person operating a bicycle to stop when meeting or overtaking a school bus from either direction when the bus is stopped with its red lights flashing to receive or discharge passengers.
🚍 STOP. WAIT. Stay stopped until the bus moves or the driver signals you to proceed.
❤️ MOST IMPORTANT: RIDE SMART
Wear a helmet — even when the law doesn't require one for your age.
Slow down.
Stay visible.
Don't ride distracted.
Watch for pedestrians and children.
Respect other trail and road users.
And remember: just because an e-bike CAN go fast doesn't mean it always SHOULD.
Let's keep Maine's roads, neighborhoods, trails, and sidewalks safe for everyone. 🚲⚡
KNOW THE CLASS. KNOW THE RULES. RIDE SAFE.
