Electric Bike Laws In Virginia: What You Need To Know

Electric bikes are a breakthrough for economical and eco-friendly travel, but are they street legal in Virginia? Every state in the United States has different guidelines, so it's important to be aware of the laws in your area. Virginia's definition of an electric bike is a power-assisted bike travelling on one, two, or three wheels, equipped with pedals and an electric motor with strength up to 1000 W. Electric power-assisted bicycles may be ridden on shared-use paths or sidewalks unless prohibited by the locality or facility owner.

Electric bikes are prohibited on sidewalks in Virginia, unless the locality or facility owner permits it

Virginia's classification of electric bikes divides them into three categories: class 1 bikes have a motor providing assistance only when you're pedalling and only up to 20 miles per hour; class 2 bikes have throttle-activated assistance, providing speed and power up to 20 miles per hour; and class 3 bikes, which are not defined in the sources, but which are advised to have a speedometer added to the bike.

Electric power-assisted bicycles may be ridden on shared-use paths or sidewalks unless prohibited by the locality or facility owner. Class 1, 2 and 3 electric power-assisted bicycles are allowed on all VDOT-owned shared-use paths.

You can use your e-bike on all roadways that welcome vehicles riding up to 25 miles per hour. You can also ride on bike paths but avoid pedestrian traffic.

Virginia's definition of an electric bike

Electric power-assisted bicycles may be ridden on shared-use paths or sidewalks unless prohibited by the locality or facility owner. They can be used on all roadways that welcome vehicles riding up to 25 miles per hour, and on bike paths, but not on pedestrian paths. Bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic on the right side of the highway, and ride as close as safely practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway. Exceptions to this are when bicyclists are overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, preparing for a left turn, avoiding unsafe conditions, avoiding riding in a lane that turns or diverges to the right, riding on a one-way street where bicyclists may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway, or when the lane width is too narrow to share with a motor vehicle.

Virginia's classification of electric bikes

Electric bikes are street legal in Virginia, but there are some rules and regulations to be aware of. Virginia's definition of an electric bike is a power-assisted bike travelling on one, two, or three wheels. It must be in contact with the ground and equipped with pedals and an electric motor with a strength of up to 1000 W.

Electric power-assisted bicycles may be ridden on shared-use paths or sidewalks unless prohibited by the locality or facility owner. They are allowed on all VDOT-owned shared-use paths. Bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic on the right side of the highway and, when on a roadway, ride as close as safely practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway. Electric bikes are prohibited on sidewalks.

You can use your e-bike on all roadways that welcome vehicles riding up to 25 miles per hour, and on bike paths, but avoid pedestrian traffic. It is advised that everyone should have white lights at the front and red lights at the back.

Rules for riding an electric bike on the road

Electric bikes are legal in Virginia, but there are some rules that riders must follow.

Firstly, electric bikes are prohibited on sidewalks unless allowed by the locality or facility owner. This means that riders should check with their local area before riding on the sidewalk.

Secondly, electric bikes are allowed on all roadways that welcome vehicles riding up to 25 miles per hour. This means that riders can use their electric bikes on roads where the speed limit is up to 25 miles per hour.

Thirdly, electric bikes can be ridden on bike paths, but riders should avoid pedestrian traffic. This means that riders should use designated bike paths where possible and avoid riding in areas with high pedestrian traffic.

Finally, it is advised that riders with class 3 bikes add a speedometer to their bike, and all riders should have white lights at the front and red lights at the back. This is for safety reasons, to ensure that riders can see and be seen by other road users.

In addition to these rules, it is important to note that Virginia's definition of an electric bike is a power-assisted bike travelling on one, two, or three wheels. It must be in contact with the ground and equipped with pedals and an electric motor with a strength of up to 1000 W.

Rules for modifying an electric bike

Electric bikes are legal in Virginia, but there are some rules to be aware of when modifying your bike.

Virginia's definition of an electric bike is a power-assisted bike travelling on one, two, or three wheels. It must be in contact with the ground and equipped with pedals and an electric motor with a strength of up to 1000 W. The Virginia classification of electric bikes divides them into three categories: class 1 bikes have a motor providing assistance only when you're pedalling and only up to 20 miles per hour; class 2 bikes have throttle-activated assistance, providing speed and power up to 20 miles per hour; and class 3 bikes are capable of speeds of up to 28 miles per hour.

Electric power-assisted bicycles may be ridden on shared-use paths or sidewalks unless prohibited by the locality or facility owner. Class 1, 2, and 3 electric power-assisted bicycles are allowed on all VDOT-owned shared-use paths. Bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic on the right side of the highway. When riding on a roadway, bicyclists must ride as close as safely practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, unless they are overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, preparing for a left turn, avoiding unsafe conditions, avoiding riding in a lane that turns or diverges to the right, riding on a one-way street, or when the lane width is too narrow to share with a motor vehicle.

It is advised that people with class 3 bikes add a speedometer to the bike, and everyone should have white lights at the front and red lights at the back.

Frequently asked questions