Indiana · researched July 21, 2026
Indiana uses three classes of electric bicycle. Class 1 is pedal assist ending at 20 mph, Class 2 may propel without pedaling and ends assistance at 20 mph, and Class 3 is pedal assist ending at 28 mph.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
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The short answer
A qualifying e-bike needs no Indiana driver's license, certificate of title, or state motor-vehicle registration. A Class 3 operator must be at least 15, a Class 3 operator or passenger under 18 must wear a qualifying helmet, and Class 3 has tighter bicycle-path and multipurpose-path access.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
01 / Categories
Pedal assist · 20 mph
It must be a bicycle with fully operable pedals, an assistive electric motor rated at no more than 750 watts, and the motor behavior and assisted-speed cutoff of Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
The motor assists only while the operator pedals and stops providing assistance when the e-bike reaches 20 mph.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Throttle-capable · 20 mph
The motor may exclusively propel the e-bike and ceases or is unable to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Pedal assist · 28 mph
The motor assists only while the operator pedals and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 mph.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
02 / Class consequences
| Class | Motor behavior | Assisted cutoff | Core consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Pedal assist only | 20 mph | No Indiana driver's license, certificate of title, or state motor-vehicle registration. Class 1 may use bicycle and multipurpose paths where bicycles are permitted unless a statute, rule, or local ordinance says otherwise.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? → |
| Class 2 | May propel without pedaling | 20 mph | No Indiana driver's license, certificate of title, or state motor-vehicle registration. Class 2 may use bicycle and multipurpose paths where bicycles are permitted unless a statute, rule, or local ordinance says otherwise.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? → |
| Class 3 | Pedal assist only | 28 mph | No Indiana driver's license, certificate of title, or state motor-vehicle registration. The operator must be at least 15, an operator or passenger under 18 must wear a qualifying helmet, and bicycle-path or multipurpose-path use requires an adjacent roadway or express authorization from the responsible local authority or state agency.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? → |
Classification unclear: a bicycle without fully operable pedals, over 750 watts, or outside all three class definitions is not an electric bicycle under IC 9-13-2-49.2. Indiana DNR calls a nonmatching electric bike a motorized vehicle, but the cited sources do not assign every such device to one replacement category or set of public-use rules.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9· Indiana DNR — e-bike rules Spot an error? →
03 / Rider requirements
04 / Where you can ride
Yes where bicycles are permitted. An e-bike operator has the rights, privileges, and duties of a bicycle operator, and a bicycle rider on a roadway generally has the rights and duties applicable to a vehicle driver, subject to bicycle-specific rules and provisions that do not apply by their nature.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Bicycle-lane wording is unclear: IC 9-21-11-13.1 allows e-bikes wherever bicycles may travel, and the bicycle chapter recognizes roadway parts set aside for exclusive bicycle use. But the cited text does not use the term "bicycle lane" or override a local restriction; check signs and ordinances.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Sidewalk access is unclear statewide: the cited e-bike and bicycle provisions do not expressly give one statewide sidewalk answer. Because e-bikes may travel where bicycles are permitted and local authorities may regulate bicycle operation, check the local ordinance and posted signs.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Yes where bicycles are permitted, unless a statute, rule, or local ordinance specifies otherwise.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Only if the path is within or adjacent to a highway or roadway, or if the local authority or state agency with jurisdiction authorizes Class 3 use.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Manager-controlled: for a nonmotorized path or trail with natural tread made by clearing and grading native soil and adding no surfacing material, the responsible local authority or state agency may regulate e-bikes by class. Check the land manager's current rules and signs.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Indiana DNR allows all three classes on roads inside its properties. On paved, concrete, or gravel trails it allows Class 1 and Class 2; on natural-surface trails where regular bikes are allowed it allows only Class 1. At Interlake and Redbird it allows Class 1 but not Class 2 or Class 3.Indiana DNR — e-bike rules Spot an error? →
A statute, rule, or local ordinance may change the default Class 1 and Class 2 path rule. The responsible local authority or state agency may authorize Class 3 on a bicycle or multipurpose path and may regulate any class on the specified natural-surface nonmotorized paths and trails. Current IC 9-21-1-2, amended by P.L.54-2026, also permits nonconflicting local traffic regulations for highways under local jurisdiction.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
05 / Common questions
Indiana driver's license, certificate of title, and state motor-vehicle registration: no—IC 9-21-11-13.1 expressly exempts them. Insurance and possible local bicycle paperwork remain unclear because the statute uses "financial responsibility" and does not expressly resolve whether local bicycle registration or licensing reaches e-bikes.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
The cited e-bike section expressly requires a helmet only for a Class 3 operator or passenger under 18. It doesn't state the statewide adult answer for any class, and that silence isn't a blanket exemption. Check local law, and wear a helmet.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
Class 1 and Class 2 may use bicycle and multipurpose paths where bicycles are permitted unless another law or local rule says otherwise. Class 3 needs an adjacent roadway or manager authorization. Specified natural-surface nonmotorized trails are manager-controlled, and Indiana DNR applies its own class-by-surface matrix.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9· Indiana DNR — e-bike rules Spot an error? →
Yes, as Class 2, if it otherwise meets the electric-bicycle definition and its motor ceases or is unable to assist at 20 mph. Indiana DNR describes Class 2 as throttle-capable and able to be ridden without pedaling.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9· Indiana DNR — e-bike rules Spot an error? →
A person who violates IC 9-21-11 commits a Class C infraction.Indiana General Assembly — 2026 Indiana Code Title 9 Spot an error? →
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