North Dakota
Last updated
North Dakota adopted the three-class e-bike framework with North Dakota HB 1148, effective August 1, 2021, and wrote one of the lightest-touch versions in the country: no license, no registration, no insurance, and no statewide minimum age for any class, Class 3 included. Class 1 assists only while pedaling up to 20 mph, Class 2 may propel the bike without pedaling up to 20 mph, and Class 3 assists while pedaling up to 28 mph with a functioning speedometer required (N.D.C.C. 39-10.1-09). The one helmet rule: riders under 18 must wear one on a Class 3, with no statewide rule for Class 1 or Class 2 at any age.
All three classes ride as bicycles with the rights and duties of drivers, plus a stop-as-yield rule on roads with two or fewer lanes (N.D.C.C. 39-10.1-05.1), and every bicycle path and multi-use path is open to all three classes unless a government entity with jurisdiction posts otherwise. Sidewalk rules are local ordinance territory, and Fargo bans riding on its downtown Broadway sidewalks. North Dakota Parks and Recreation publishes no formal e-bike restriction, while on US Forest Service land the Maah Daah Hey is a non-motorized trail, which keeps e-bikes off it. The 750-watt definition line is the only thing separating an e-bike from a moped: over 750 watts or no operable pedals means motorcycle or off-highway-vehicle rules, with registration, license, and insurance to be street-legal and no right to bike paths. Our North Dakota bicycle and e-bike insurance page pairs these rules with the state's best rides, riding season, and events. The full breakdown is below.
North Dakota E-bike Laws
Three classes, no paperwork, no minimum age, and every path open by default. Here is where North Dakota stands on e-bikes.
North Dakota adopted the three-class e-bike framework with North Dakota HB 1148, effective August 1, 2021, and wrote one of the lightest-touch versions in the country: no license, no registration, no insurance, no statewide minimum age, and every bicycle path and multi-use path open to all three classes unless a local government posts otherwise. The 750-watt definition line is the only thing separating an e-bike from a moped that needs plates and a license.
The motor assists only while pedaling and cuts off at 20 mph (N.D.C.C. 39-01-01(19)(a)).
The motor may propel the bike without pedaling but ceases to assist at 20 mph (N.D.C.C. 39-01-01(19)(b)).
Assist while pedaling up to 28 mph; a functioning speedometer is required equipment (N.D.C.C. 39-10.1-09).
E-bikes are excluded from North Dakota's motor vehicle definition, so operator licensing never reaches them (N.D.C.C. 39-01-01(47)).
No title, no plate, no registration for a compliant e-bike of any class (N.D.C.C. 39-05-02.2).
E-bikes sit outside the state's financial responsibility law — coverage is on you (N.D.C.C. 39-16-01).
North Dakota skipped the model law's age floor: no minimum age for any class, including Class 3 (N.D.C.C. ch. 39-10.1).
Riders under 18 must wear a helmet on a Class 3 (N.D.C.C. 39-10.1-09); no statewide rule for Class 1 or Class 2 at any age.
Where You Can Ride
- Roads & bike lanesAll three classes ride as bicycles with the rights and duties of drivers — plus a stop-as-yield rule on roads with two or fewer lanes (N.D.C.C. 39-10.1-02, 39-10.1-05.1).
- Shared-use pathsAll three classes may ride any bicycle path or multi-use path unless a government entity with jurisdiction posts otherwise (N.D.C.C. 39-10.1-09).
- SidewalksNo statewide prohibition — sidewalk rules are local ordinance territory, and Fargo bans riding on its downtown Broadway sidewalks.
- State parksNorth Dakota Parks and Recreation publishes no formal e-bike restriction; on US Forest Service land the Maah Daah Hey is a non-motorized trail, which keeps e-bikes off it.
- Out-of-class e-motosOver 750 watts or no operable pedals means motorcycle or off-highway-vehicle rules: registration, license, and insurance to be street-legal, and no right to bike paths.
Effective August 1, 2021 under North Dakota HB 1148. Statutes: N.D.C.C. 39-01-01(19), 39-10.1-09, 39-05-02.2, 39-16-01, 39-10.1-05.1. Cities and park districts can add their own path and trail restrictions — check signage where you ride. Last reviewed July 2026.