E-bike laws in five markets
What keeps an e-bike legally a bicycle in the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia, read from the legislation and government pages, with every rule linked to its source.
This page explains the rules in plain English and is not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can be stricter, so check the official source for where you ride before you buy or ride.
| Market | Motor power | Assisted speed | Throttle | Minimum age | Helmet | Licence, registration, insurance | Our catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | Under 750 W | 20 mph (32 km/h); 28 mph (45 km/h) for Class 3 | Class 2 only, to 20 mph (32 km/h) | Set by each state | Set by each state | Treated as a bicycle in most states; NJ requires them | 259 of 275 within the limits as listed |
| Canada | 500 W (ON, BC, QC) | 32 km/h (20 mph) | Varies by province | 14 to 18, by province | Required (ON, BC, QC) | No licence or insurance in BC; QC riders 14 to 17 need a moped licence | 294 of all 505 within the limits as listed (no Canada availability recorded) |
| UK | 250 W continuous rated | 15.5 mph (25 km/h) | To 6 km/h (3.7 mph) only | 14 | Advised, not part of the EAPC rules | None | 184 of 230 within the limits as listed |
| EU | 250 W continuous rated | 25 km/h (15.5 mph) | Pedal assistance only | Set nationally | Set nationally | None EU-wide for an EPAC; set nationally above it | 184 of 230 within the limits as listed |
| Australia | 250 W (Vic, Qld); 500 W in NSW until 2029 | 25 km/h (15.5 mph) | 6 km/h (NSW, Qld); 200 W throttle bikes in Vic | 16 in Qld; none in Vic; NSW pending | Required (NSW, Vic, Qld) | No registration; Queensland requires a licence | 216 of all 505 within the limits as listed (no Australia availability recorded) |
How we check the catalogue
Each market page counts the bikes in our catalogue against that market's class, by listed top speed and the throttle and fast-class flags. It is a filter on seller listings, not a legal classification, and every market page says what it can and cannot see.
A listing is not a legal classification. Check the label on the bike and the rules where you ride.
Browse all bikes · How every figure is made
Related reading
For buying advice rather than the rules, the guides cover power, licences and insurance.