E-bikes are everywhere. What does KY law say about where people can ride them?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kentucky law does not define or specifically regulate electric bicycles.
- Lexington ordinances limit dockless e-bikes to a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour.
- Lexington prohibits riding e-bikes on sidewalks and requires riders to obey traffic laws.
Electric bikes have surged in popularity as more people look for budget-friendly transportation with car and gas prices increasing, bike retailers say.
“It’s grown steadily over the past five years,” said Andy Lanier, cycle manager at Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling in Lexington. “We’ve also seen a lot more younger riders.”
E-bikes, which use a combination of battery power and old-fashioned leg work, appeal to a lot of Lexington riders, Lanier said. They’ve also become more affordable in recent years, drawing in new cyclists.
“We see a broad spectrum of customers who are turning to e-bikes, from recreational riders to people who use it as their primary transportation,” Lanier said.
But Lexington ordinances and state laws regulating e-bikes and where cyclists are allowed to ride them have not kept pace, a review of state laws and local ordinances shows. While other states are banning e-bikes that travel at high speeds for riders under 16 and upping safety requirements, Kentucky laws and Lexington ordinances have not been updated, creating confusion.
Lanier sees that confusion when customers come to Scheller’s. Many buy e-bikes online and don’t know what they are getting, he said.
“Right around Christmas I had a woman come in and wanted to get a helmet for her son for an e-bike,” Lanier said.
But the bike the woman bought could go as fast as 40 miles per hour. Lanier sent the woman to a motorcycle shop to get a helmet appropriate for the speeds at which the bike traveled.
“There needs to be a lot more consumer education and awareness about e-bikes,” Lanier said.
Kentucky law does not regulate e-bikes
Kentucky state law does not regulate or define e-bikes, state transportation officials confirmed.
“While we are not aware of any statutes that specifically reference electric bicycles, Kentucky law contains definitions and regulations for certain vehicle types, including electric low-speed scooters and mopeds,” said Naitore Djigbenou, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
For e-scooters, there is a maximum speed, she said.
“KRS 189.010 sets a maximum speed limit of 20 (miles per hour) on a paved, level surface for e-scooters powered solely by electric motors,” Djigbenou said.
What do Lexington ordinances say about e-bikes?
Lexington ordinances define e-bikes as a dockless vehicle that travel a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour, said Hannah Sloan, a spokeswoman for the Lexington Police Department. That definition was set in 2019, when the city passed local ordinances governing e-scooters.
E-bikes have three different classifications and can travel faster than 15 miles per hour, according to e-bike manufacturers.
Class 1 bikes have no throttle, but the engine provides power while the rider is pedaling. Class 1 bikes can go as fast as 20 miles per hour. Class 2 bikes have a throttle, like a motorcycle, and can move without activating the pedal. The maximum speed is 20 miles per hour.
Class 3 bikes are pedal-assisted but can go up to 28 miles per hour, according to the National Bike Dealers Association.
“If it goes over 28 miles per hour, it’s no longer an e-bike,” Lanier explained. “It’s an e-motorcycle or dirt bike.”
Still, city ordinances say anyone operating an e-bike must follow the same rules as someone riding a standard bicycle. But city ordinances also say anyone on a scooter or e-bike can not ride them on the sidewalk, Sloan said.
“Any vehicle, electric bicycle, or electric motor-assisted scooter shall not drive within any sidewalk area except at a permanent or temporary driveway,” Sloan said.
Here’s what Lexington ordinances currently say about where e-bikes can be ridden:
- When riding a bike, e-bike or electric scooter, riders must keep to the right-hand side of the road.
- Two people riding bikes, e-bike or e-scooters cannot ride side-by-side in a business district, and cannot ride more than two side-by-side in any other district.
- When a designated bike path is available, riders should use the path instead of the roadway.
- Bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters are not allowed on any designated, limited-access highway.
- Motorized vehicles are not allowed on any designated bicycle path, except for e-bikes and e-scooters.
In addition, Sloan said bicycles and e-bikes are considered vehicles and must obey all traffic laws.
“As a note for parents and guardians, because an e-bike can go faster than a regular bicycle, please make sure your children know how to stop and control the e-bike, “ Sloan said.
Are helmets required?
Kentucky law does not require anyone over 18 to wear a helmet while riding either an e-bike or a bicycle.
E-bike fires and UL ratings
Many states and local governments are grappling with another safety issue regarding electric bikes — lithium battery fires.
Lanier said the National Bike Retailers Association is pushing for national standards so all e-bikes are Underwriter Laboratories, or UL, tested. UL is a global safety testing laboratory. E-bikes with UL certification are considered safe.
Many people shopping for bargains online don’t know to buy UL-certified bikes. That’s dangerous, Lanier said.
“E-bike fires are a real thing,” Lanier said. “These are lithium-ion batteries. You can’t put it out with water.”
Lithium battery fires are caused by a chemical reaction, which can cause fires that burn hot and fast, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Special fire extinguishers are needed to put out a lithium battery fire.
Other states ban teens from riding higher-speed e-bikes
Other states have made changes to laws to recognize the difference types of e-bikes and some of the dangers.
California requires all e-bikes sold in the state to be tested by a laboratory. California also recently enacted a law that categorizes e-bikes that go over 28 miles per hour with pedal assistance or 20 miles per hour with throttle assistance as mopeds or motorcycles. Those e-bikes require additional licenses and no one under age 16 can drive them.
Illinois state legislative leaders passed a law earlier this year that would require all e-bikes to be driven on roads, not sidewalks or bike lanes. Washington passed a law that takes effect this week that bans anyone under the age of 16 from riding an e-bike that goes faster than 20 miles per hour.
California made the changes after it saw a spike in serious injuries in e-bike riders, according to an April press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
A study by the University of California, San Francisco found rider injuries from e-bikes nearly doubled each year from 2017 to 2022, and a University of California, San Diego study showed injuries among San Diego e-bike riders under 18 soared by 300% from 2019 to 2023.
It does not appear Kentucky tracks e-bike accidents separately from bicycle and motorcycle accidents, Kentucky State Police crash data shows.
In 2025 Kentucky recorded 1,490 motorcycle crashes, resulting in 1,092 injuries, and 114 deaths, according to a May press release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Also in 2025, were 465 crashes involving bicycles, resulting in 305 injuries and 10 fatalities.
