Maine

Bicycle Laws

• No-Fault State: NoMaine is a fault state. The at-fault driver's liability insurance pays, and there is no PIP. The $2,000 of medical payments coverage required on auto policies is written for the driver and passengers of the insured vehicle.
• Fault Rule: Modified Comparative Negligence, 50% BarA jury reduces your damages for your share of the blame, and a rider found equally at fault recovers nothing.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Minimum Auto LiabilityUninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in every auto policy, at the policy's liability limits unless a lower amount is chosen in writing, and never below $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Drivers must carry at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
• Deadlines: 6 Years to Sue, 365 Days for a Government NoticeA lawsuit for injuries or bike damage must be filed within six years. A claim against the state, a county, or a town needs written notice within 365 days and a lawsuit within two years.
• Safe Passing: 3 FeetDrivers must leave at least three feet when passing a bicycle, and a collision with a cyclist is prima facie evidence of a violation.
• Helmet Law: Under 16Riders and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet on bicycles and e-bikes. Riding without a helmet is not admissible as evidence in a civil or criminal trial.

Read the full Maine bicycle accident law guide

E-bike Laws

• Driver license: Not requiredOperators are exempt from the license, registration, and financial-responsibility rules that apply to motorists (29-A M.R.S. 2063(14)).
• Registration: Not requiredCompliant e-bikes are not motor vehicles, so there is no title, plate, or BMV visit.
• Insurance: Not requiredMaine mandates no coverage for any e-bike class, which leaves the financial risk on you.
• Minimum age: 16 for Class 2 & 3No one under 16 may operate a Class 2 or Class 3, though they may ride as a passenger; there is no age floor for Class 1 (29-A M.R.S. 2063(14)).
• Helmet: Under 16Every operator and passenger under 16 wears a helmet on any class (29-A M.R.S. 2063); adults face no statewide helmet mandate on any e-bike.

Where You Can Ride

• Roads & bike lanesAll three classes ride wherever bicycles ride, with the same rights and duties (29-A M.R.S. 2063).
• Shared-use pathsClass 1 and Class 2 are allowed where bicycles are unless a local authority bars them; Class 3 is barred from bike paths unless the path is within a roadway or specifically authorized (29-A M.R.S. 2063(14)).
• Acadia carriage roadsAcadia allows Class 1 only on its carriage roads and Schoodic bike paths, ridden like a bicycle at a 20 mph limit; Class 2 and Class 3 are prohibited there.
• Rail trails & state parksThe Eastern Trail permits Class 1 and Class 2 but not Class 3; the motorized Down East Sunrise Trail welcomes e-bikes; Baxter State Park bans them outright.
• Out-of-class e-motosOver 750 watts or with the limiter removed, it is no longer an e-bike under Maine law and is regulated as a moped or motor vehicle instead.