We don’t always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often you should wash your hair and more.
If you find yourself wanting an electric bike (e-bike) lately, you’re not alone. In fact, e-bikes drove 63 percent of all bicycle sales between 2019 and 2023, according to People For Bikes, a U.S.-based bicycle trade association and advocacy group.
But as e-bikes have surged in popularity, some states are stepping creating new rules of the road. New Jersey now requires that all e-bikes be licensed and registered with the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission, with throttle-equipped models also needing insurance and a Department of Transportation-approved helmet. In New York City, every e-bike is capped to move at 15 mph citywide, regardless of its rated top speed. Not only that, New York City’s mayor is speaking out against retailers selling e-bikes that don’t meet common city safety requirements (more on that below) and certain types of bikes are banned.
So if you are shopping for a new ride, it’s worth checking your local laws first. And while e-bikes aren’t cheap (nor should they be), many act as vehicle replacements, being used to transport kids to school and haul groceries. Not to mention, food delivery workers rely heavily on these vehicles to earn a living. Below, I’ve highlighted common regulations in various states surrounding e-bike usage. I’ve also outlined what to look for when shopping for one and how to stay safe while riding.
Are e-bikes banned in New York?
No, e-bikes are not banned in New York City or the state. However, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration did recently send cease-and-desist letters to more than 40 online retailers — including Amazon, Walmart and Target — demanding they stop selling e-bikes and e-scooters that don’t meet the city’s legal standards. The products being targeted exceed legal limits for speed, weight or other safety requirements and cannot lawfully be sold or operated on city streets.
So what are those legal standards? Under current New York City rules, e-bikes are capped at 15 mph and local law forbids the sale or operation of e-scooters that exceed 20 mph and e-bikes that exceed 25 mph. Retailers that keep selling the prohibited devices after receiving the notice may face a civil penalty of up to $2,000 for each illegal sale, and illegal devices found operating on city streets may also be impounded.
Do other states have rules and regulations about e-bikes?
New York isn’t alone in tightening the rules around e-bikes. Most states now follow some version of a three-tier classification system that limits the speed on an e-bike and where the bikes can go. This is how it works:
- Class 1: These e-bikes are pedal-assist only, which means they have no throttle and the motor only engages when you are pedaling. They have a maximum motor-assisted speed of 20 mph
- Class 2: These bikes add throttle assistance but are also capped at 20 mph
- Class 3: Similar to Class 1, these bikes are pedal-assist only but can reach up to 28 mph, and are often restricted from bike paths.
On top of this classification system, some states have layered on additional rules. For example, in California, Class 3 riders are required to wear a helmet and e-bikes generally can’t be ridden on multi-use paths.
Power output is another area where many states have regulations. Colorado and California cap motors at 750 watts. On the more permissive end, Florida and Mississippi currently have no maximum power limit for e-bikes at all.
Top-rated e-bikes you can shop now
To compile the below list, I spoke with experts about what to look for in an e-bike. The bikes below also fit into one of the three classes above and meet most state regulations. They also all have UL certification, which means they have passed independent safety and electrical testing by UL Solutions — a leading company in global safety science that provides testing and certifications to help companies ensure product safety — or another accredited laboratory.
If you want a comfort cruiser that doesn’t skimp on power, the Aventon Pace 5 REC Step-Through is worth a look. It pairs an upright riding position with swept-back handlebars, an adjustable stem and a wide comfort saddle. Plus, it’s built around a step-through frame that makes hopping on and off easy. It also comes loaded with smart features like GPS tracking, an integrated rear wheel lock, unusual-activity detection and app connectivity. Chris Nolte, owner of e-bike shop Propel Bikes, also mentioned Aventon as one of a handful of budget ebike brands making UL certified e-bikes.
If comfort and price are your two deciding factors, Velotric’s top-rated Discover 1 is an e-bike you should consider. It has a strong motor that makes climbing hills easy, according to the brand. The combination of swept-back handles, an upright sitting posture, wide tires, a wide seat and a front suspension make this a comfort-forward design. It also comes with fenders and integrated front and rear lights.
This pick is ideal for hauling groceries, home goods and more. Tern is a popular brand in the electric cargo bike space, used by many cargo messengers in cities like New York. The Tern Quick Haul P9 offers excellent performance in a relatively lightweight package. Despite weighing only 50 pounds, the Quick Haul P9 can handle more than 300. Its Bosch motor and battery provide ample torque and great range, according to the brand. The design is also user-friendly, with a low, step-thru frame, double-sided kickstand, built-in lights, fenders, a rack and more.
For riders who want to go off the beaten path, Trek’s Borrego+ is a fat-tire e-bike built for that. Durable 4-inch tires and front suspension let you explore a variety of terrain, while the upright riding position keeps you in control. Under the hood is a 750W Hyena rear-hub motor putting out 90 Nm of torque, paired with a fully integrated 720Wh battery good for up to 70 miles. The standard model delivers throttle-powered speed up to 20 mph, and Class 3 “S” versions get pedal-assisted speeds up to 28 mph.
How I picked the best electric bikes
To pick the best electric bikes, I narrowed the choices using the following criteria, informed by our experts:
- Build: I only selected e-bikes that use disc brakes, and favored e-bikes with name-brand components repair shops will be more familiar with.
- Price: To weed out problematic, low-quality e-bikes, I only considered bikes from more established brands that cost $1000 or more because according to experts I spoke to, anything under that price is not likely to be of lasting quality.
- UL certification: Based on expert recommendation, I only considered e-bikes that are certified in compliance with the UL 2489 standard, which is one of many electrical safety standards developed by UL Solutions.
How to use an electric bike
If you’re considering purchasing a new e-bike, there are a few things you should keep in mind to get the best possible experience, whether you’re on the street riding or at home charging.
Practice: It helps to know how to ride a traditional bike before riding an electric one, says Dr. Ash Lovell, the electric bicycle policy and campaign director at PeopleForBikes. But if you are dusting off your biking skills with a brand new e-bike, “find a place without traffic, away from pedestrians, where you can practice handling the bike,” adds Alison Dewey, the director of education at the League of American Bicyclists. She also recommended finding a bike class where you can build your confidence and learn safe riding tips from an instructor.
Ride safely: “Predictability is a key safety measure on any type of bike,” says Dewey. Knowing basic rider etiquette like hand signals is crucial to staying predictable to the traffic you are sharing the road or path with. “When you are in a congested area, you’ll need to slow down. When you are turning, you need to signal. All of these pieces of rider safety and etiquette are important,” says Dewey.
And, of course, wear a helmet. Research by the National Transportation Safety Board found helmets reduce serious head injuries by 50 percent. If you don’t have one, check out our guide to the best bike helmets. If you do get into an e-bike crash of any kind, “take [your bike] into your local repair shop or retailer and have them check it out,” says Lovell. “Sometimes there can be problems that you can’t necessarily feel or see while you’re riding, but they can degenerate over time.”
Charge smartly: Charging an e-bike isn’t like plugging in your smartphone by your nightstand, there are a few rules you should follow to maintain a safe and healthy battery. First, do not leave your e-bike unattended while it’s charging. That includes charging it overnight in the other room while you’re sleeping. If you are charging your ebike, only use the provided charger, and plug it directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. While extremely uncommon, battery fires are possible, especially when poor charging habits are combined with low-quality or secondhand, non-certified e-bikes, according to our experts.
Meet our e-bike experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Chris Nolte is the founder and owner of Propel Bikes, an e-bike retailer with locations in New York, California and Delaware. He founded the company in 2011, and has placed an emphasis on e-bike education for both consumers and legislators. While Nolte did recommend some brands he likes for good quality e-bikes that have certain safety certifications, we did not solicit any specific bikes.
- Ash Lovell, Ph.D., is the electric bicycle policy and campaign director at PeopleForBikes, a Colorado non-profit that represents more than 320 different bicycle supplier members.
- Alison Dewey is the director of education at the League of American Bicyclists, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to creating safer roads and stronger communities for bikers in America.
Why trust NBC Selected?
Harry Rabinowitz is the former tech reporter at NBC Selected. He has written about wireless earbuds, smart watches and more. For this story, he interviewed three e-bike experts about what to look for when shopping and the best ways to stay safe.
Bethany Heitman is a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty, home and lifestyle. She has written about the recent robot vacuum ban, the best mini fridges and more.
Catch up on Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
Leave a Reply