Kentucky Electric Bike Laws

No three-class law · State parks: Varies by park

Kentucky has not adopted the three-class system and has no e-bike statute. E-bikes are treated as bicycles under the Transportation Cabinet bicycle rule (601 KAR 14:020, under KRS 189.287), which defines a bicycle as propelled primarily by human power, so no age, license or registration rule applies. HB 258 (2019) created a separate electric low-speed scooter category for riders 16 and older.

E-bike classes
Not adopted
E-bike license
No
Class 3 minimum age
-
E-bike helmet
No state rule
State parks
Varies by park
Moped registration
No

By vehicle

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

Kentucky rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bikeNo e-bike statute; bicycle propelled primarily by human powerNoneNoNoNoNo state ruleYes, unless local bansPaths open to bicycles
Stand-up e-scooterElectric low-speed scooter: under 100 lb, 20 mph16NoNoNoNo state ruleNo state rule, localBike lanes and paths
Seated e-scooter (moped)Moped: 50 cc, 2 bhp, 30 mph max16YesNoNoNo state ruleNoNo

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike. Treated as a bicycle
  • Stand-up e-scooter. Sidewalk parking allowed if not blocking
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Roads; no limited-access highways

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

601 KAR 14:020 lighting at night: front light visible from 500 feet, rear red reflector or light visible from 100 feet, and red or flashing red rear light visible from 500 feet; no label, speedometer or motor-cutoff rule.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Bicycles, including e-bikes, may ride on sidewalks unless a law or ordinance bans it, and must slow to walking speed near pedestrians. Fort Mitchell gave a first reading on August 17, 2026 to ORD-2026-12, which would ban Class 3 e-bikes from city sidewalks; Fort Thomas, Alexandria, Florence and Union are drafting similar rules.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in Kentucky

Kentucky State Parks has no published statewide e-bike policy, so access is set park by park.

Record

Sources

E-bike
KRS 189.287; 601 KAR 14:020
Stand-up e-scooter
KRS 189.010; HB 258 (2019)
Seated e-scooter (moped)
KRS 186.010; KRS 189
Status
Partly verified
Open items
Whether throttle-only or high-power e-bikes count as bicycles under 601 KAR 14:020; moped license, registration and helmet values come from older Kentucky State Police and Lexington guidance; Kentucky State Parks e-bike policy not found; final vote on Fort Mitchell ORD-2026-12 not confirmed.
Last verified
Q4 2026