Connecticut Electric Bike Laws

Three-class law · State parks: Class 1 on trails open to bicycles

Public Act 18-165 adopted the three-class system in 2018: Class 1 and 2 stop at 20 mph and Class 3 at 28 mph, with a motor under 750 W. Public Act 25-159, effective October 1, 2025, opened bicycle and multi-use trails to Class 1 e-bikes, stripped the e-bike label from throttle bikes that exceed 20 mph and moved electric bikes up to 3,700 W into the motor-driven cycle category. Riders under 16 may not ride Class 3, and every e-bike rider and passenger must wear a helmet.

E-bike classes
Three
E-bike license
No
Class 3 minimum age
16
E-bike helmet
Yes
State parks
Class 1 on trails open to bicycles
Moped registration
No

By vehicle

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

Connecticut rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bike, Class 1Class 1: pedal assist to 20 mph, under 750 WNoneNoNoNoYesYes, unless town bansBicycle and multi-use trails
E-bike, Class 2Class 2: throttle to 20 mph, under 750 WNoneNoNoNoYesYes, unless town bansImproved trails; natural only by ordinance
E-bike, Class 3Class 3: pedal assist to 28 mph16NoNoNoYesYes, unless town bansNo
High-speed e-bikeMotor-driven cycle: electric over 750 W up to 3,700 W16 (license)YesNoNo state ruleUnder 21NoNo
Stand-up e-scooterElectric scooter: 100 lb max, 20 mph max, standing or seatedNo state ruleNoNoNoUnder 18Yes, unless town bansNo state rule
Seated e-scooter (moped)Motor-driven cycle: under 50 cc, seat 26 in. or higher16 (license)YesNoNo state ruleUnder 21NoNo

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike, Class 1. Natural-surface trails opened in 2025
  • E-bike, Class 2. Throttle above 20 mph is not an e-bike
  • E-bike, Class 3. Speedometer required; under 16 as passenger only
  • High-speed e-bike. Over 3,700 W is a motorcycle needing endorsement, registration, insurance
  • Stand-up e-scooter. Treated like a bicycle
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Right lane on faster roads; no limited-access highways

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

Label showing class, top speed and wattage in at least nine-point type, updated after any modification; speedometer on Class 3; motor must cut out per class; white front light visible 500 feet and rear reflector visible 600 feet at night; sellers must disclose in writing when a vehicle sold with e-bike terms is not a legal e-bike.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Towns may ban e-bike riding on sidewalks, allow Class 2 e-bikes on natural-surface trails by ordinance and require annual licensing of e-bike sales. Fairfield Public Schools bar e-bikes and scooters on school property except for travel to and from school.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in Connecticut

State law governs e-bikes on trails in parks run by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Class 1 on bicycle and multi-use trails, Class 2 on improved surfaces unless allowed otherwise, and no Class 3 on any trail or path. Individual park closures are posted at trailheads.

Record

Sources

E-bike, Class 1
CGS 14-1, 14-286, 14-289k; PA 25-159
E-bike, Class 2
CGS 14-1, 14-289k; PA 25-159
E-bike, Class 3
CGS 14-289k, 14-289l; PA 18-165
High-speed e-bike
CGS 14-1; PA 25-159 s.39
Stand-up e-scooter
CGS 14-286 et seq.; PA 25-159 s.38; PA 25-65
Seated e-scooter (moped)
CGS 14-1, 14-286, 14-289g
Status
Partly verified
Open items
No DEEP e-bike policy page found; e-scooter minimum age not confirmed; motor-driven cycle insurance rule not confirmed; PA 26-24 (October 1, 2026) wattage wording change seen only in a secondary source
Last verified
Q4 2026