Regulations
Scooter law: what you actually need to know
The short version
Check three things for any location: whether throttle use is permitted, the speed cap, and whether sidewalks are off limits.
Ebikes: the three-class system
Most states have adopted some version of the three-class framework, which is why ebike law is comparatively predictable. A machine that fits one of these classes is generally treated as a bicycle rather than a motor vehicle, which is what keeps it off the registration-and-insurance treadmill.
| Class | Assist | Throttle | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Pedal assist only | No | 20 mph |
| Class 2 | Pedal assist | Yes | 20 mph |
| Class 3 | Pedal assist only | No | 28 mph |
Most of our ebikes ship set to Class 2, which is the most broadly permitted configuration. Many can be unlocked to Class 3, which is legal on roads in most states but restricted from shared paths and many trails. A Class 3 bike is also frequently subject to a minimum rider age of 16 and a helmet requirement regardless of age.
Class 3 and shared paths
This is the rule riders get caught by. A Class 3 bike is genuinely legal on the street and genuinely banned on a lot of multi-use paths. If your commute uses a trail, stay at Class 2.
Scooters: the wild west
There is no equivalent national framework for stand-up scooters. Regulation ranges from fully treated as a bicycle to banned outright on all public property, and the practical rules often come from the city rather than the state.
Check these five things for anywhere you intend to ride:
- Permitted at all – a few cities prohibit them on sidewalks and streets entirely.
- Speed cap – 15mph is common; some places cap at 12.
- Sidewalk use – frequently banned for motorised devices regardless of speed.
- Helmet requirement – often mandatory under 18, sometimes mandatory at any age.
- Where you can park it – increasingly regulated in dense downtowns.
A practical routine before you buy
- 01 Search your city code, not your state code
Municipal ordinances are what actually get enforced for scooters. Search the city website for ‘motorized scooter ordinance’.
- 02 Check the specific path you intend to use
Trail managers set their own rules. A state-wide Class 3 allowance does not override a county trail ban.
- 03 Confirm the configuration you are buying
Note the shipped class and the cut-off speed, so you can state it if you are ever asked.
- 04 Buy a helmet at the same time
None of our products include one, and every jurisdiction that regulates scooters also regulates helmets.
This is guidance, not legal advice
We sell to US addresses and we keep up with the framework generally, but we cannot advise on your specific city ordinance. Riders are responsible for knowing and following local rules.
Why we care about this
Because the fastest way for a category to get regulated into oblivion is for riders to ignore the rules that already exist. Cities that see scooters on sidewalks at 25mph pass bans, and bans are much harder to reverse than they are to avoid.
Shop scooters
Every model page states the shipped configuration and cut-off speed, so you know exactly what you are getting.