E-bike Classifications Explained
Class I e-bikes have no throttle. They are limited to 20mph. These account for well over 80% of the legal e-bikes the world over, though outside The U.S. their speed is restricted further. In the opinion of this author, a fully functioning and properly funded CPSC would allow only Class I e-bikes.
Class II e-bikes are also limited to 20mph, but have throttles as well as pedals to actuate the motor. Throttles are a bit of a throw back to The 90’s when cadence sensing (how fast you move the pedals) actuating the motor became popular. The idea was to help you get started or if you found yourself in the wrong gear on a hill. There is no such thing as an e-bike motor, controller or throttle designed to be ridden.primarily under throttle. They burn up.
Class III e-bikes can have throttles too, but the throttle function is still limited to 20mph. Pedaling, motors can assist up to 28mph.on class III bikes. Anything outside these standards is illegal on public roads, trails, lanes or paths.
44 states allow e-bikes up to 750 watts. Two more allow 1k watts and two have no standards. Florida and Mississippi base their rules on federal guidelines listed in the first three paragraphs. Because it is hard to tell how much power a motor has just by looking, many areas do not allow e-bikes with throttles, particularly on multi-use paths (MUPs). This is becoming more common as conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists mount. It isn’t fun to “ghost pedal” a bike much above 20mph for very long. It isn’t perfect, but it does dramatically reduce the number of conflicts.
In most states, if a trail does not have a posted speed limit, the limit is 20mph. Certainly, this the case in Iowa and most if not all its surrounding states. Generally speaking, the marked speed limit on mixed use trails, lanes and MUPs is 15mph.
If you are mostly a motorist, these speeds may sound low. Many traditional cyclists have an inflated idea of how fast they ride as well. The fact is, you can’t cross most communities 5 minutes faster at 28 than at 15. The average speed of the winner of The Tour De France, for the last three years, has been 24mph. Our bikes are no where near so light, but our tires and brakes are no more capable (in most cases, much less capable). Let’s be honest, we don’t have their skills nor their 5-10% body fat. They are riding perfectly maintained bikes, on closed and groomed courses, with other freaks of nature. We have no business riding that fast on glorified sidewalks, along side pedestrians and pets.
100% of the largest and fastest growing e-bike markets in the world restrict e-bike power to under 400 watts (most 250). They limit speeds to roughly 16mph and greatly restrict or outlaw throttles. What do they know that we do not? Well, for one thing, e-bikes were homolgated to provide affordable transportstion for a small but growing, sub-culture that can’t afford a safe or reliable automobile. The idea was to make traditional cycling easier, more convenient and accessible, not faster. That is why they were limited to a speed under the moped’s 30mph.
So, how do you best take advantage of an e-bike? Get one with torque sensing (not cadence),. With torque sensing you’ll have no use for a throttle. If it is Class I it will be legal almost everywhere. It will be more affordable, easier on your battery and on your bike’s components. Remember, with an e-bike every mile is better for you than driving a car or sitting on the couch.