ABOUT E-BIKE LAWS IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Electric mobility vehicles are affordable transportation options that are environmentally friendly. Encouraging micromobility while making rules easily understandable and enforceable, and prioritizing safety, is the ultimate goal.
As the popularity of e-bikes and other micromobility devices surges, so do concerns, crashes, and dangerous situations. There is urgency to improve related education, behaviors, and laws. This document will review what is happening now in Rhode Island and beyond.
Related Definitions
E-Bike:
A two-wheeled vehicle that may be propelled by human power, by an electric motor, or by both. An e-bike by definition in RI and most states has a 750 watt maximum, and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph. A vehicle that can exceed 28mph is NOT an e-bike and is not a bicycle.
Electric micromobility:
This term refers to a variety of small, lightweight, low-speed wheeled vehicles powered by an electric motor, such as e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards.
E-motos:
Many of the vehicles referred to as e-bikes are not e-bikes at all. They are e-motos – high-powered, often throttle-only, vehicles that achieve speeds in excess of 30mph. Find out more about e-motos here: https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/the-e-bike-problem-is-an-e-moto-problem
There are efforts underway around the state and the country to:
- Define the equipment, the classifications, and the laws
- Ensure that the public understands these definitions and adheres to the laws
- Ensure that the laws are understandable and enforced.
- Provide public education through classes and awareness campaigns.
Efforts to achieve these goals include:
- Reviewing and improving the definitions and laws
- Ensuring that the definitions and laws are the SAME at the local and state level, and are in agreement with neighboring states and national best practices.
RI MICROMOBILITY WORKING GROUP
In Rhode Island, agencies and individuals are gathering and working together to address urgent safety concerns regarding the proliferation of micromobility devices. The effort is being led by RI Representatives Jennifer Boylan of Barrington and Earl Read of Cranston, and participants, include RI state legislators, Bike Newport, Providence Streets Coalition, RI Bicycle Coalition, CCRI, AAA, RI Department of Motor Vehicles, RI Department of Transportation, RI Department of Environmental Management, and the RI Police Chiefs Association. This informal working group is currently reviewing the recent recommendations of a Massachusetts Commission on Micromobility as a model approach.
It is hoped that the well-informed work will result in dramatic improvements to public understanding of the equipment, the classifications, and the laws in Rhode Island – and that the outcome will be IMPROVED SAFETY FOR ALL ROAD AND PATH USERS.
Statewide micromobility legislation and other recommendations could address:
- Age restrictions
- Helmet requirements
- Speed tiers and/or speed restrictions
- Road restrictions
- Equipment definitions
- Requirements for retailers regarding e-bikes sales and equipment information
- Public education programs/campaigns
CURRENT RHODE ISLAND LAWS
Classes of E-Bikes (§ 31-19.7-1)
Class 1: Bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when it reaches 20mph.
Class 2: Bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated electric motor that ceases to provide assistance when it reaches 20mph
Class 3: Bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when it reaches 28mph.
Use of E-Bikes on State Paths (§ 31-19.7-2)
The RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) may, by regulation, determine allowable uses of electric bicycles at properties under the department’s jurisdiction; provided, however, that Class 1 electric bicycles shall be allowable on state bicycle trails or paths.
In practice: RIDEM has established a rule – conveyed by signs on the shared use paths – that the only motorized vehicles allowed on the state’s shared use paths are Class 1 e-bikes. All other motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Helmet Requirement (§ 31-19.7-3. )
Any person under age 21 who is operating or is a passenger on an electric bicycle must wear a helmet.
Age Requirement and Registration Requirement (§ 31-3-2.2. )
An electric personal assistive mobility device (“EPAMD”) and electric motorized bicycles shall not be required to register under this chapter; provided, however, that an EPAMD and/or electric motorized bicycles shall not be operated in this state by a person under the age of sixteen (16) years.
In practice: Yikes! – the age restriction for e-bike operation is buried in this motor vehicle registration code (!) Efforts are underway to move this provision into the e-bike section of law where it belongs.
CURRENT WORK BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE
The previously-mentioned Microbility Working Group – comprised of state legislators, agency and department heads, working professionals, national organization representatives, and bicycle advocates – is reviewing a report released by the Massachusetts Special Commission on Micromobility which outlines recommendations related to definitions, classifications, education, enforcement, registration and licensure. The group is evaluating the recommendations in the context of current Rhode Island laws and statewide concerns, and is developing proposals for consideration during the 2027 session of the Rhode Island General Assembly.
CURRENT COMMUNITY WORK
PUBLIC AWARENESS – RULES: The police departments and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commissions (BPACs) in Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth, in conjunction with Bike Newport, are communicating current laws and regulations related to e-bikes through an information campaign. This information is being disseminated across Aquidneck Island with posters and online as well.
PUBLIC AWARENESS – EQUIPMENT: Work is ongoing to improve public understanding of e-bike classifications and related rules and restrictions. Included in this work are the efforts to encourage purchasing from reliable retailers, and warnings related to unsupported online purchases, batteries, motor retrofits, and other risk factors.
E-BIKE EDUCATION: Bike Newport offers both online and in-person e-bike safety classes every month. All are free of charge and Information is available at bikenewportri.org/e-bikes
REPLACEMENT BICYCLES: Bike Newport works with local school districts to provide replacement bicycles to students under the age of 16 who were using e-bikes to get to school.
REBATES: Rhode Island has offered, and can again offer, substantial rebates to encourage the purchase and use of e-bikes as a healthy, dependable, environmentally-sustainable transportation mode. The rebate program also improves likelihood of purchases from reputable dealers. Advocacy is underway to reinvigorate the rebate program, and to make it a direct-to-consumer discount rather than requiring the more cumbersome reimbursement submission.
OTHER EFFORTS UNDERWAY: If you are aware of other community efforts underway related to e-bike safety issues, please write to us. Email Chris Burich, Bike Newport Advocacy Associate, chrisburich@bikenewportri.org and we will add them to this report.
NEXT STEPS
- The state’s Micromobility Working Group will compile a number of legislative goals and recommendations related to micromobility devices for the 2027 legislative session.
- Lawmakers will introduce relevant legislation in January or February.
- The public will have opportunities to provide comment on the bills in legislative hearings as part of the hearing process.
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