Maryland
Last updated
Maryland adopted the three-class e-bike framework on October 1, 2019 under Maryland HB 939. A compliant e-bike, with pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less, and a class label, is treated as a bicycle: no license, no registration, and no insurance for Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3, and you ride it where bikes already go. Class 1 gives pedal assist up to 20 mph and Class 2 adds a throttle up to 20 mph, both legal for all ages, while Class 3 gives pedal assist only up to 28 mph with no throttle.
No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 on a public highway, though they may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 built for it, and riders and passengers under 16 wear a helmet on any bicycle or e-bike; there is no all-ages helmet mandate. All three classes ride where bicycles travel, including bike lanes. Class 1 and Class 2 use bicycle paths unless a local authority or State agency bars them, while Class 3 is barred unless the path runs within or adjacent to a highway right-of-way or the local authority allows it; the e-bike statute does not restrict sidewalks, so local ordinances govern there. The trail picture is the strictest part: DNR bars e-bikes on state-park trails today, with one exception, Class 1 on the Torrey C. Brown and Western Maryland rail trails. Anything over 750 watts or without a class label falls outside the e-bike definition and into Maryland moped or motor-vehicle rules. Our Maryland bicycle and e-bike insurance page pairs these rules with the state's best rides, riding season, and events. The full breakdown is below.
Maryland E-bike Laws
Three classes, no license, no registration, and a class label that does legal work. Here is where Maryland stands on e-bikes and its rail-trail exception.
Maryland adopted the three-class e-bike framework on October 1, 2019. A compliant e-bike — pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less, and a class label — is treated as a bicycle: no license, no registration, no insurance, and you ride it where bikes already go.
The motor assists only while you pedal and cuts off at 20 mph; legal for all ages.
The motor assists whether or not you pedal but stops propelling past 20 mph; legal for all ages.
Assist while pedaling up to 28 mph, no throttle; no one under 16 may operate one on a public highway.
A compliant e-bike is not a motor vehicle under Md. Code, Transp. 11-117.1, so no license is needed to ride one.
Electric bicycles are exempt from titling and registration; no plate, no MVA visit.
Maryland mandates no liability coverage for any e-bike class, so protecting the bike and yourself is on you.
No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 on a public highway, though they may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 built for it (Transp. 21-1205.2); no age floor for Class 1 or Class 2.
Riders and passengers under 16 wear a helmet on any bicycle or e-bike (Transp. 21-1207.1); there is no all-ages e-bike helmet mandate.
Where You Can Ride
- Roads & bike lanesAll three classes may operate where bicycles travel, including bike lanes (Transp. 21-1205.2).
- Bicycle pathsClass 1 and Class 2 are allowed unless a local authority or State agency bars them; Class 3 is barred unless the path runs within or adjacent to a highway right-of-way or the local authority allows it.
- SidewalksThe e-bike statute does not restrict sidewalks; local ordinances govern, so check the jurisdiction before riding on one.
- State parksDNR bars e-bikes on state-park trails today, with one exception: Class 1 is allowed on the Torrey C. Brown and Western Maryland rail trails.
- Out-of-class e-motosOver 750 watts or no class label means it falls outside the e-bike definition and into Maryland moped or motor-vehicle rules.
Effective October 1, 2019 under Maryland HB 939. Statutes: Md. Code, Transp. 11-117.1, 21-1205.2, 21-1207.1. Cities and park districts can add their own path and trail restrictions — check signage where you ride. Last reviewed June 2026.