Arkansas Electric Bike Laws

Three-class law · State parks: Class 1 only on trails

Act 956 of 2017 (HB 2185) created the Electric Bicycle Act and the three-class system. An e-bike under 750 watts is treated as a bicycle and is exempt from licensing, registration, title and insurance. Class 3 riders must be 16 or older; a younger rider may be a passenger on a bike built for one.

E-bike classes
Three
E-bike license
No
Class 3 minimum age
16
E-bike helmet
No state rule
State parks
Class 1 only on trails
Moped registration
No

By vehicle

Rules for E-Bikes, Stand-Up E-Scooters and Mopeds in Arkansas

Arkansas rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bike, Class 1 and 2Class 1, 2NoneNoNoNoNo state ruleNo state rule, localPaths open to bicycles unless local ban
E-bike, Class 3Class 316NoNoNoUnder 21No state rule, localOnly paths beside roads or if local allows
Stand-up e-scooterElectric motorized scooter: under 100 lb, 20 mph max16NoNoNoNo state ruleNo state rule, localNo state rule
Seated e-scooter (moped)Motorized bicycle: 50 cc max, automatic14Yes, certificate or licenseNoNoUnder 21NoNo

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike, Class 1 and 2. Roads, bike lanes and paths
  • E-bike, Class 3. Speedometer required; under 16 as passenger only
  • Stand-up e-scooter. 15 mph operating limit; locals regulate
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Roads only; no interstates

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

Permanent label showing class, top assisted speed and motor wattage; Class 2 motor cuts off when brakes are applied, Class 1 and 3 when pedaling stops; speedometer on Class 3; CPSC bicycle standard (16 CFR 1512); white front light and red rear light or reflector at night.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Local authorities may ban Class 1 and 2 e-bikes from their bike paths and may open paths to Class 3, and may regulate electric scooters under the Electric Motorized Scooter Act. Fayetteville allows Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on paved shared-use trails, including city sections of the Razorback Greenway, at 15 mph.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in Arkansas

Arkansas State Parks rule (233.01.20, effective January 7, 2021) allows Class 1 e-bikes on all park trails open to bicycles, including mountain bike, multi-use and ATV trails. All three classes may use park roads; Class 2 and 3 are barred from mountain bike and multi-use trails.

Record

Sources

E-bike, Class 1 and 2
Ark. Code 27-51-1701 to -1705; Act 956 (2017)
E-bike, Class 3
Ark. Code 27-51-1705, -1706; Act 956 (2017)
Stand-up e-scooter
Ark. Code 27-51-1901 to -1905; Act 1015 (2019)
Seated e-scooter (moped)
Ark. Code 27-20-101, 27-20-111
Status
Partly verified
Open items
Moped (motorized bicycle) registration and insurance not confirmed from a primary source, and the cc-based definition may not fit electric mopeds; Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission proposed a 2026 rule exempting 20 mph e-bikes from its dealer rules, final status not confirmed.
Last verified
Q4 2026