Louisiana
Last updated
Louisiana folded e-bikes into its bicycle rules with Louisiana Act 152 of 2020, effective August 1, 2020: three classes, less than 750 watts, and no license, no registration, and no insurance for Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3. Class 1 gives pedal assist up to 20 mph and Class 2 adds a throttle up to 20 mph, both with no age limit, while Class 3 gives pedal assist only up to 28 mph with a required mph speedometer; a Louisiana Class 3 may not carry a throttle.
The quirks are two. First, the age floor: no one under 12 may operate a Class 3, where most states set 16, though younger riders may come along as passengers on one built to carry them. Second, the helmet rule: every Class 3 operator and passenger wears an approved helmet regardless of age, and children under 12 helmet up on any bicycle, with violations carrying a flat $50 fine that is waived with proof of helmet purchase. All three classes ride streets, highways, and bike lanes with the rights and duties of bicycles, and multiuse trails and levees are legal by default wherever bicycles are; an agency may restrict Class 1 and Class 2 only after a public hearing but may ban Class 3 outright, and the Tammany Trace welcomes e-bikes at the posted 15 mph limit. Sidewalk rules are local: New Orleans bars riders 15 and older, and most business districts prohibit sidewalk riding outright. Anything over 750 watts means moped or motorcycle rules, with OMV registration, a licensed rider of 15 or older, and a helmet, and most e-motos lack the equipment to be registered at all. Our Louisiana bicycle and e-bike insurance page pairs these rules with the state's best rides, riding season, and events. The full breakdown is below.
Louisiana E-bike Laws
Three classes, no license, no registration, and two quirks: a Class 3 age floor of 12 and helmets on every Class 3 rider. Here is where Louisiana stands on e-bikes.
Louisiana folded e-bikes into its bicycle rules with Louisiana Act 152 of 2020: three classes, less than 750 watts, and no license, registration, or insurance for any of them. The quirks are an under-12 floor for Class 3 instead of the usual 16, and a helmet rule that covers every Class 3 rider of every age.
The motor assists only while pedaling and cuts off at 20 mph; no age limit, and it rides wherever bicycles do.
The motor may propel the bike on throttle alone up to 20 mph; no age limit (La. R.S. 32:1).
Assist while pedaling up to 28 mph with a required mph speedometer (La. R.S. 32:204); a Louisiana Class 3 may not carry a throttle.
E-bikes carry the rights and duties of bicycles (La. R.S. 32:204) and sit outside the motor vehicle definition; a license applies only to mopeds and e-motos above 750 watts.
Compliant Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are exempt from OMV registration and titling; no plate, no paperwork.
Louisiana's compulsory liability law reaches registered motor vehicles only (La. R.S. 32:861); compliant e-bikes are statutorily not motor vehicles.
No one under 12 may operate a Class 3, though they may ride as passengers on one built to carry them (La. R.S. 32:204); no age floor for Class 1 or Class 2.
Every Class 3 operator and passenger wears an approved helmet regardless of age (La. R.S. 32:204); children under 12 helmet up on any bicycle (La. R.S. 32:199). Violations carry a flat $50 fine, waived with proof of helmet purchase.
Where You Can Ride
- Roads & bike lanesAll three classes ride streets, highways and bike lanes with the rights and duties of bicycles (La. R.S. 32:204, 32:203).
- SidewalksNo statewide ban; cities set the rules. New Orleans bars riders 15 and older from sidewalks, and most business districts prohibit sidewalk riding outright.
- Multiuse trails & leveesLegal by default wherever bicycles are; an agency may restrict Class 1 and Class 2 only after a public hearing but may ban Class 3 outright (La. R.S. 32:204). The Tammany Trace welcomes e-bikes at the posted 15 mph limit.
- State parksLouisiana State Parks treats compliant e-bikes like bicycles on park roads and bike trails; check posted rules on natural-surface trails.
- Out-of-class e-motosOver 750 watts means moped or motorcycle rules: OMV registration and title, a licensed rider of 15 or older, and a helmet (La. R.S. 32:198, 32:190); most e-motos lack the equipment to be registered at all.
Effective August 1, 2020 under Louisiana Act 152. Statutes: La. R.S. 32:1(25), 32:204, 32:203, 32:199, 32:198; Louisiana Act 152 of 2020. Cities and park districts can add their own path and trail restrictions — check signage where you ride. Last reviewed June 2026.