New Hampshire Electric Bike Laws

Three-class law · State parks: Class 1-2 where bicycles allowed; Class 3 on roads and rail trails

House Bill 148, signed as chapter 93 of the Laws of 2019, adopted the three-class system, and an e-bike under 750 W has the rights and duties of a bicycle with no license, registration or insurance. Riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike, and Class 3 passengers under 18 must wear a helmet; the bicycle helmet law covers all riders under 16.

E-bike classes
Three
E-bike license
No
Class 3 minimum age
16
E-bike helmet
Under 16
State parks
Class 1-2 where bicycles allowed; Class 3 on roads and rail trails
Moped registration
Yes

By vehicle

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

New Hampshire rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bike, Class 1 and 2Class 1, 2; under 750 WNoneNoNoNoUnder 16No state ruleBike paths unless banned; natural-surface trails per manager
E-bike, Class 3Class 3, under 750 W16NoNoNoUnder 16; passengers under 18No state ruleOnly paths beside roads or if permitted
Stand-up e-scooterNo state categoryNo state ruleNo state ruleNo state ruleNo state ruleNo state ruleNo state ruleNo state rule
Seated e-scooter (moped)Moped: 30 mph max, 50 cc max, no shifting16Yes, any driver's licenseYesNoNo state ruleNoNo

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike, Class 1 and 2. Wherever bicycles may ride
  • E-bike, Class 3. Speedometer required; under 16 as passenger only
  • Stand-up e-scooter. Not addressed in state law
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Roads

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

Permanent label (required since January 1, 2020) showing class, top assisted speed and motor wattage; motor cutoff when pedaling stops or brakes are applied; speedometer on Class 3; must meet federal CPSC bicycle standards; reflective outerwear at night under the bicycle law.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Cities, towns and state agencies may ban Class 1 and 2 e-bikes from bike and multi-use paths, may open paths to Class 3, and may regulate e-bikes on natural-surface trails; sidewalk riding is set by local ordinance. Two 2026 House bills failed: HB 1533 (sidewalk ban and Class 3 registration) went to interim study and HB 1703 (registration of all bicycles) was found inexpedient to legislate.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in New Hampshire

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources allows Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on NH State Parks trails where bicycles are allowed and limits Class 3 to Class III recreational roads, park roads and rail trails, with a 20 mph limit unless signed otherwise (rule Ncr 731.32).

Record

Sources

E-bike, Class 1 and 2
RSA 259:27-a, 265:144-a; HB 148 (2019)
E-bike, Class 3
RSA 265:144-a VII, IX-XI; HB 148 (2019)
Stand-up e-scooter
none found
Seated e-scooter (moped)
RSA 259:63
Status
Partly verified
Open items
No state category found for stand-up e-scooters; moped registration, insurance and helmet rules from secondary sources; whether the under-16 bicycle helmet law applies to e-bike operators is inferred from RSA 265:144-a, I
Last verified
Q4 2026