Side by side
Assist Cutoff, Motor Limit and Throttle by Market
These limits decide whether a bike is a bicycle. Above them it is a moped or a motor vehicle that needs a plate.
| Market | Assist cutoff | Motor limit | Throttle | Minimum age | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | 25 km/h | 250 W | Walk assist to 6 km/h | Set nationally | No |
| Germany | 25 km/h | 250 W | Walk assist to 6 km/h | None | No; insurance plate for S-pedelecs |
| United Kingdom | 15.5 mph (25 km/h) | 250 W | Walk assist to 6 km/h | 14 | No |
| China | 25 km/h | 400 W | Allowed | Set by city | Yes, local plate |
| Japan | Tapers to zero at 24 km/h | Assist ratio cap | Not allowed | None | No |
| Canada | 32 km/h | 500 W | Allowed in most provinces | Set by province | No |
| Australia | 25 km/h | 250 W; 500 W in NSW | Walk assist to 6 km/h | Set by state | No |
| United States | 32 or 45 km/h (20 or 28 mph) | 750 W | Allowed on Class 2 | Set by state | New Jersey only |
European Union
EN 15194 Pedelecs and L1e-B Speed Pedelecs
Regulation (EU) 168/2013 leaves pedal-assist bikes with a 250 W continuous motor and a 25 km/h cutoff outside vehicle type approval, so they are bicycles. The standard they are built to is EN 15194. Anything faster, including the speed pedelecs that assist to 45 km/h, is an L1e-B moped: type approval, a plate, insurance and an AM license. Helmet and age rules are set by each member state. Germany, the largest EU e-bike market, has its own page.
United Kingdom
Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles
A UK e-bike is an electrically assisted pedal cycle: 250 W, assistance cutting out at 15.5 mph, rider 14 or older, no license, tax or insurance, and no riding on pavements. The Department for Transport consulted in 2024 on raising the limit to 500 W and allowing throttles to 15.5 mph, and dropped both in January 2025. Since March 2025, Transport for London bars non-folding e-bikes from the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR. Full rules are on the United Kingdom page.
China
GB 17761: Pedals, 25 km/h and 55 kg
China's national standard GB 17761-2018 caps an electric bicycle at 25 km/h, 55 kg including the battery, a 400 W motor and a 48 V battery, and requires working pedals. Bikes that meet it are registered with local police and carry a plate. Heavier and faster two-wheelers from Yadea, Aima and Tailg are electric mopeds or motorcycles and need a license.
Japan
Assist Ratio Limits and a New Class for E-Scooters
A Japanese power-assisted bicycle may add up to twice the rider's pedal force below 10 km/h, tapering to no assistance at 24 km/h, and may not have a throttle. A bike with a throttle is a moped and needs a license. Since July 2023, stand-up e-scooters limited to 20 km/h form their own class: riders 16 and older, no license, and footpaths allowed only in a 6 km/h mode. Since April 2026, cyclists 16 and older can receive fixed-penalty tickets for traffic violations.
Canada
Provinces Took Over in 2021
Transport Canada stopped regulating power-assisted bicycles in February 2021, leaving the definition to the provinces. Most use the old federal limits of 500 W and 32 km/h. British Columbia, for example, requires riders to be 16 or older and to wear a helmet, and treats anything above those limits as a motorcycle. Every province and territory is covered on the Canada page.
Australia
EN 15194 Pedelecs, State by State
Australian states regulate e-bikes, and most follow the European limits of 250 W and 25 km/h with pedal assist only. New South Wales allows 500 W. Queensland tightened enforcement in 2026, with seizure of non-compliant bikes and a 12 km/h limit on footpaths.
Record
Sources
- European Union
- Regulation (EU) 168/2013; EN 15194
- United Kingdom
- Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations; Department for Transport consultation outcome, January 2025
- China
- GB 17761-2018
- Japan
- Road Traffic Act amendments of July 2023 and April 2026
- Canada
- Transport Canada, February 2021; British Columbia Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation
- Australia
- State road rules; Queensland changes of July 2026
- Open item
- Australian state details from retailer summaries; confirm with state transport agencies
- Last verified
- Q4 2026